The Ndola Magistrates’ Court has sentenced a 36-year-old man of Kawama Township in Ndola to 12 months’ imprisonment with hard labour for theft of railway infrastructure.
Robert Phiri was found with 43 wooden sleeper end ties worth more than K6,000, property of Zambia Railways Limited.
He was arrested on March 15, 2026, between Kaniki and Mabote in Ndola.
Zambia Railways Police, together with Zambia Police officers, made the arrest after finding him in possession of the railway ties.
The sentence takes effect from the date of his arrest.
Zambia Railways Limited, through its Public Relations Manager Sombe Longwani, reiterated that tampering with, stealing, or vandalising railway infrastructure is a serious criminal offence that attracts a penalty of up to 21 years’ imprisonment with hard labour.
Ms Longwani urged members of the public to report any suspicious activity near railway lines to the nearest police station or ZRL office.
By Cecilia Kayaya Mporokoso
