According to Kanengo Police Public Relations Officer Laban Makalani, Abeki committed tha crime in June this year at the company's premises which are located at Kanengo Industrial Area.

He said through State Prosecutor Sergeant Patrick Mkumbi of Kanengo Police, the court heard that Abeki used to steal motor vehicle body parts from stationary vehicles which were packed within the company's premises after conniving with security guards for the company.

“Through the witnesses, Prosecutor Sergeant Mkumbi proved that the suspect managed to steal assorted vehicle parts such as intercoolers, brake-drums, radiators, fans, brake chambers and batteries of various trucks belonging to the company,” said Makalani.

He said the law-enforcers recovered some of the stolen items from the accused.

Magistrate Cecelia Onsewa said had decided to impose a 42 months IHL jail for the offence which is contrary to Section 278 of the Penal Code, with the hope that it would serve as a lesson to members of the general public.

She further said that the tendency of stealing from companies need to be discouraged as it has the potential of scaring away investors in the country.

Charles Abeki hails from Likoswe Village in the area of Traditional Authority Machinjiri in Blantyre District.