Magistrate sends thief to church

OSHAKATI – Oshakati Magistrate Thomas Kanime on Monday sentenced a 20-year-old man to compulsory church service, after convicting him of theft.

Joseph Johannes from Ohendjele village near Ongwediva was convicted of stealing N$220 belonging to fellow villager Emilia Shilumbu. Kanime also ordered Johannes to make sure that he sees the pastor privately for counselling after every church service.”Failing to do so, you will be arrested and you will then serve the jail sentence,” Kanime warned Johannes.Johannes pleaded guilty to the charge, claiming that he wanted the money to buy clothes for himself.”Although the offence you have committed spread fast like a virus that needs to be cured, the court appreciated that you pleaded guilty without wasting time, and I want to send you for rehabilitation,” Kanime said in his judgement.”Therefore, I am neither going to send you to jail nor ask you to pay a fine.But you are seriously warned and cautioned not to be found stealing again in future,” the Magistrate stressed.He then instructed Johannes to attend church services at the Omutemo Lutheran Church every Sunday, starting this week.Johannes has already returned the stolen money to Shilumbu.Public Prosecutor Johanna Kefas wanted Johannes to be sentenced to do community service, but this could not be done because he lives too far from the nearest town, Ongwediva.- NampaKanime also ordered Johannes to make sure that he sees the pastor privately for counselling after every church service.”Failing to do so, you will be arrested and you will then serve the jail sentence,” Kanime warned Johannes.Johannes pleaded guilty to the charge, claiming that he wanted the money to buy clothes for himself.”Although the offence you have committed spread fast like a virus that needs to be cured, the court appreciated that you pleaded guilty without wasting time, and I want to send you for rehabilitation,” Kanime said in his judgement.”Therefore, I am neither going to send you to jail nor ask you to pay a fine.But you are seriously warned and cautioned not to be found stealing again in future,” the Magistrate stressed.He then instructed Johannes to attend church services at the Omutemo Lutheran Church every Sunday, starting this week.Johannes has already returned the stolen money to Shilumbu.Public Prosecutor Johanna Kefas wanted Johannes to be sentenced to do community service, but this could not be done because he lives too far from the nearest town, Ongwediva.- Nampa