WINDHOEK – A police officer working at State House was fined N$2 000 or six months in prison in the Windhoek Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday for stealing plates valued at N$215 from State House.

The theft of some plates from State House took place in August last year.

Magistrate Ingrid Unengu sentenced Festus Pamwelenga Shipo, 38, on Tuesday.

Shipo faced a charge of housebreaking with intent to steal and theft, and pleaded guilty to the charge on Tuesday. He was arrested on August 15 last year.

In his plea statement, Shipo admitted stealing two plates on August 13 2012.

Shipo further informed the court that he was on duty patrolling at State House and found plates in the kitchen inside the guesthouse.

“I took two of the plates, placed them in a plastic bag and returned to my duty station,” he said.

After the theft, Shipo was suspended, lost his job as a police officer, He has 10 children.

Prosecutor George Mahoney asked that Shipo to be sentenced to a fine of N$2 500, or one year in jail.

By Tunomukwathi Asino