‘Cow theft story kept changing’

LUCY PHIRI writes A MAN of Chikankanta district has been sentenced to five years imprisonment with hard labour after he was found guilty of stealing a cow worth K2,000. This was after changing his testimony several times. Appearing at the Kafue Magistrates Court before Magistrate Kawama Mwamfuli was Oliver Chitalo accused of stealing a cow […]

‘Cow theft story kept changing’
LUCY PHIRI writes A MAN of Chikankanta district has been sentenced to five years imprisonment with hard labour after he was found guilty of stealing a cow worth K2,000. This was after changing his testimony several times. Appearing at the Kafue Magistrates Court before Magistrate Kawama Mwamfuli was Oliver Chitalo accused of stealing a cow worth k2,000 from Mr Mungole. He said on 06 March, he bought a cow from a certain man, upon negotiations the cow which was at K1,500 was bought at K1,200. Chitalo said he did not steal instead it was his animal of which he even took it home. It was then killed in the presence of the owner when he came to claim it. Facts before court where that on 6 March, a cow went missing at his farm, few days later the owner discovered that it was at Chitalo’s place. Mr Mungole identified his animal and said it was brown and a bit of black with a red tag on the ear and that was the exact cow Chitalo was found with. Chipalo pleaded for forgiveness from court saying court should forgive him for buying something which was stolen. “It is my first time in court and I have a family I take care of, am the bread winner of the family am asking for forgiveness,” he said. Court heard his complaint and said being the first offender although he kept changing statements that it was his cow and at some point that he just bought it from a friend. Court heard him and sentenced him a minimum of five years imprisonment with hard labour.