A South African court has sentenced a Zambian national to seven years imprisonment for being in possession of a stolen vehicle.
Chilala Muhyila, aged 47 was sentenced by a Laphalale Magistrate court in Limpompo province and taken to Modimolle Correctional facility where he will serve his sentence.
Mr. Muhyila, a businessman based in Livingstone, was arrested when he tried to cross Martin drift border into Botswana on his way to Zambia.
The court established that he was guilty of being in possession of a stolen motor vehicle, identified as a Ford Ranger
Mr. Muhyila once lived in Kempton Park, Johannesburg before relocating to Livingstone with his family sometime last year.
And Zambia’s Acting High Commissioner to South Africa Maynard Misapa who is also Deputy High Commissioner has urged Zambian car dealers to engage in clean businesses.
He noted the need for car dealers to ensure that the vehicles they are buying from South Africa are cleared by local authorities.
Mr. Misapa said the imprisonment of Mr. Muhyila is unfortunate.
This is contained in a statement issued to the media by First Secretary Press and Public Relations at the Zambian High Commission in South Africa Naomi Nyawali.
Instead of supporting the Zambian, the embassy is quick to throw him under the bus. They should rather investigate the merits of the case.Being in possession of a stolen vehicle is not the same as having stolen it.Someone may have crooked him. Those Zulus will lynch him in prison, the Embassy must do something.
Azamuziba Yesu. Merit of the case? Walipena. In Zambia you are always singing “Interpol”. They ere here in South Africa also, so one clears the car with the Police even before paying money. If you are sleepy ni jail yabe
2019….do people still deal in stolen cars…..that was 90s business not with todays technology…and who will buy a stolen car honestly….thats outdated business
Are you also involved in illegal car dealings? The embassies are not there to protect people involved in suspected or actual crimes. There are cases where your country of origin will endeavor to assist and stealing is not one of them. So you the embassy to instruct the RSA government to release the chap? The chap will serve the sentence according to the South African laws. Even if you want to oppose government , there must be instances when it’s better to keep quiet if you don’t want to show that you agree with it.
Supporting him how? he was in possession. Its a criminal offence and there is no excuse. You think embassies are there to support ignorantly.
Dunderheadism at its best
Yaku aba bene ba Maria! Just frigging read!!! Even in Zambian penal code there is reference to what happens to you when you purchase stolen goods. Awe shuwa. Ni Meli sunshila impapa. The least that can happen is to negotiate that the guy serves his sentence in Livingstone so that it is easier for his relatives to take him food and say an occasional hello.
Sad reading. You should watch car high jack in south Africa. Its gruesome.
These criminals kill and get your brand New Ford Ranger and give to a Zambian at price which cannot even buy a smart phone. And they use the money for drugs.
If you are one of them am warning you to desist from this crime syndicate.
He must have some perceived pressure and apportunity.
This makes sad reading Muhyila is a senior member of the party Upnd and we have since been trying to see how best we can appeal the sentence or get him to serve the remainder of the term here in Zambia…..we shall approach well meaning party members how we should proceed.
I thought upendi was a clean party
Ati to serve the sentence in zambia, you must be out of your mind.
Under PF corrupt regime this car thief would have easily allowed the car to be registered in Zambia without due Interpol clearance. That is how my car was/is registered in Zambia without any documentation. When I presented original documents to both Ratsa, anti-car theft department and detailed report to police chief all has failed. Been robed of my hard earned asset because of belonging to a different political party.
I feel sorry for you. What has the PF or indeed any political party got to do with this? The guy was caught with suspected stolen goods and sent to jail. ..end of the story.
Iwe. Thats not the issue at hand. This upendi cadre is an international criminal. Murdering people in south Africa using guns.
Sometimes I feel tempted to support this party but I dont like the radicalized group thinking that binds and blinds thse people like isis
Google south Africa car hijacking and you cant feel sorry for people that end up benefiting from this organised crime.
Let him wait for hh to win maybe he will be pardoned
It is surprising how HH is giving some people sleepless nights!! What has he got to do with this? Such low levels of thinking even when it is clear the issue is none political and completely unrelated to UPND or HH is what has made me realize how fake and dull those throwing mud on HH are.
6.1 Please note that 6.0 is actually answering your member who is putting the blame on PF.
To bad Mr chilala as old as you are to be jailed I feel pit for your family especially Mrs chilala with her condition of her eyes
In the 2000’s, there was a Zambian guy called “Muna” in Durban. He would befriend Zambians who would be thwrecto buy vehicles. At times he would even show them around but in the end he would swakisha robbers to them after having known their moves, their hotel and all that stuff… So a lot of Zambians were robbed and the culprit was their own brother based in a foreign land! I met him once and colleagues told me not to even talk to him or think he was one of us! Elo ngwele enze nachikwela zoona!
I am sure he will appeal and prevail. Good luck chilala. Friends are with u all the way
Zambians have a tendency of “kushayina” baniwone, ndine pano”. Save money and buy genuine vehicles… How have we been buying from S. A FROM day one till todate…. He bought from a thief and thinking when he comes to Zambia he will re-register it and done.this should be a wake up call to police in Zambia… A lot of car dealers in Zambia.. Have vehicles without proper documentation “please.. My appeal to the police service.. We need your intervention ASAP.
Concerned citizen.
To bad Mr chilala nampepo iye Ku jele? Kapena ku SA kulibe?
May the Lord save u if ur intentions were pure.
shame, maybe he worked hard for the money to get a car ,the cops should go after the seller,,,set the poor man free,,God bless him and keep him safe until he is free. south Africa should get more fully trained cops out to help foreigners in a case like this,,,,l am a south African in a foreign country, pray nothing like this happens to me,,,,,