Chicken thieves caged

JOHN KOMBE writes@SunZambianTWO men of Mwalongo village in Chongwe have been sentenced to 18 months imprisonment with hard labour for stealing four chickens in the same village.This is in a matter in which the duo stood charged for theft contrary to Section 272 of the penal code, Chapter 87 of the laws of Zambia.The two were appearing for judgement before Chongwe magistrate, Majory Saasa.This was after a third accused was already sentenced as he admitted the charge when they earlier took plea.Particulars of the matter are that Derrick Mwansa, 20, Anthony Mwenya, 22 and Patrick Malama, 21 on May 5 this year are alleged to have stolen four chickens from a chicken run. The chickens are said to have been the property of Misheck Nkhata.The court heard that the three did enter into the chicken run in the night of the date in question and stole the chickens.A witness earlier testified that the accused were apprehended at their residence after a chase. They were found cooking one of the birds while three birds were recovered live.Accused 1 and 2 who denied the charge could not successfully exonerate themselves before court as their statements were conflicting.The court therefore found them guilty as charged and convicted them accordingly.In mitigation the duo asked for leniency because they had learnt a lesson during their stay in remand prison. The first accused person also pleaded for mercy stating that he would lose out on education as he was still in school.The court acknowledged their mitigation, but warned that the matter at hand was a serious one that merited a sentence of up to 5 years. The court also stated that theft of this nature was on the increase and as such their was need to deter would be offenders from committing such crime.The court therefore sentenced the duo to 18 months imprisonment with hard labour from the date of their arrest. The Sun