MULENGA MUSONDA writes
@SunZambian
A 26 YEAR old youth of Choma will spend the next 5 years in prison doing hard labour for stealing 3 head of cows from his uncle.
Choma Resident Magistrate Ethel Phiri in jailing Nchimunya Hichilombwe said that it was embarrassing that after failing to buy the animals from his uncle he opted to steal them.
She further said her hands were tied as the offence carried a minimum mandatory sentence of 5 years with hard labour.
This is in a case in which Hichilombwe stood charged with one count of stock theft contrary to section 275 Chapter 87 of the Penal Code of the Laws of Zambia.
Particulars of the offence are that on April 21 Hichilombwe stole 1 ox and 2 cows valued at K9,300, the property of his uncle Gili Musowe.
When the matter came up for judgment in the Choma Magistrates Court, Hichilombwe was found guilty after the State presented evidence from 4 witnesses who confirmed the allegations after he was seen stealing the animals from the grazing field.
In mitigation Hichilombwe begged for lenience and vowed never to repeat his actions.
“I have left four children, please have mercy on me, if you send me to prison for a longtime they will suffer,” he begged.
