FORCED BARTER SYSTEM PUTS FARMER IN SOUP

MULENGA MUSONDA WRITES@SunZambianFARMER who forcefully and unlawfully grabbed a flock of sheep as payment instead of the Maize as agreed will have to answer to charges of Stock Theft.In this matter matter, Gamito Sianzabwa of Mafwafwa Village of Chief Siachitema’s Chiefdom has been dragged to the Choma Magistrates Court charged with Stock Theft contrary to the Laws of Zambia.Allegations are that Sianzabwa on September 22 in Choma stole a flock of 11 Sheep valued at K11,500 the property of Chause Mweemba.When he appeared for plea before Magistrate Muyambango Munukayumbwa, the accused admitted to taking the Sheep, but stated that he thought the flock belonged to the complainant.Court: Have you understood the charge?Sianzabwa: Yes.Court: Do you admit or deny?Sianzabwa:I admit.Court: Did you take away the 11 Sheep?Sianzabwa: Yes.Court: Did they belong to the Complainant?Sianzabwa: I didn’t know.Court: Were you allowed to take them away?Sianzabwa: NoCourt: Did you have any claim of right?Sianzabwa: NoCourt: What did you intend to do with the Flock?Sianzabwa: I wanted to sell them.At that time I didn’t know the animals belonged to him, I thought they were for his brother whom i worked for and we agreed that he pays me with Maize but he did not so I decided to get the Sheep.Court: I record a plea of not guilty.After entering a plea of not guilty the matter was adjourned to October 15 for trial after Senior Public Prose-cutor Alex Syulikwa made the application to adjourn.Sianzabwa was remanded in custody. The Sun