Catholic priest convicted over exam leaks

After the recent conviction of a Catholic priest for marriage interference by the Ndola local court, another Catholic priest has been convicted by a magistrate in Mansa for leaking examinations. The Zambia Daily Mail on April 16, 2009 carried the following story:


A Mansa Magistrates Court has convicted two teachers, one of them a Catholic priest, for loss and misuse of 2008 Grade 12 examination papers. Resident Magistrate Daniel Musonda convicted Lungo Mpundu, 34, a priest and Everisto Chabu, 62, a teacher and fined them K700,000 (US$140) and K1.5 million (US$300)respectively.

Mr Musonda acquitted another Catholic priest, identified as James Chisenga, 34. The trio are all teachers at Charles Lwanga Seminary in Mansa. Facts before the court were that the trio, on unknown dates, but between October 23 and November 5, 2008, lost and misused 2008 examination papers.

According to the evidence in court, officers from the Mansa Provincial Education Office found people photocopying 2008 Grade 12 examination papers that had a reference number for Charles Lwanga Seminary. The court heard that after investigations by police, it was discovered that all the examination packs had one copy missing, except for mathematics and chemistry papers.

In mitigation, Chabu pleaded for the court's leniency, saying he was an old man and had lost his job and terminal benefits because of the offence he had committed. Chabu further said he was married and had six children and that if sent to jail, his family would suffer.

Reverend Mpundu also pleaded for the court's leniency, saying he was remorseful. He said if sent to prison, he would suffer and that the work of the church would be affected as many members relied on him for spiritual guidance.

Passing judgement, Magistrate Musonda said he had taken into consideration that the convicts were first offenders. Mr Musonda said, however, that the offence the duo committed was a serious one.

“I, therefore, will exercise lenience and fine Chabu K1.5 million in default of nine months imprisonment with hard labour and Mpundu K700,000 in default of seven months imprisonment with hard labour to be paid by May 30, 2009,” he said.

Magistrate Musonda told the convicts that they had the right to appeal to the high court within 14 days if they were not happy with the judgement. - ZANIS