MULENGA MUSONDA writes
@SunZambian
A 32-YEAR-OLD cattle rustler will languish in prison for five years after the Choma Magistrates Court convicted him for stealing nine cows.
Monty Nyanga, who was charged with Steven Micheelo could not escape seeing the walls of prison after the court dismissed his defence as an afterthought.
The two who have been appearing before Resident Magistrate Ethel Phiri after pleading not guilty to the offence were charged with Stock Theft Contrary to the Laws of Zambia.
It was alleged that Nyanga and Micheelo on July 27, 2020 stole four cows and five oxen all valued at K35, 000 the property of Mr Wilfred Ngulube.
When the two appeared for judgment Magistrate Phiri in her findings established that the evidence was circumstantial as no one saw them stealing the animals.
She however noted that despite the evidence being circumstantial, there was overwhelming evidence pointing towards Nyanga while Micheelo stayed clear of not being part of the theft.
She thus acquitted Micheelo forthwith and sentenced Nyanga to the minimum five years mandatory sentence with hard labour after being convinced that the state had proved its case beyond reasonable doubt.
Nyanga was informed of his right to appeal to the High Court within 14 days if he was not happy with the ruling.
