Goat thief gets 9-month sentence

MULENGA MUSONDA writes  THE Choma Magistrates Court has slapped a 9 months jail sentence on a 27 years old unemployed youth for stealing a Goat worth K600. In this matter Miyanda Mudenda of Choma’s Batoka Township pleaded guilty to Stock Theft contrary to sections 272 and 275 (1) of the Laws of Zambia. Particulars of the offence are that Mudenda stole 1 Goat valued at K600 the property of Nelson Muchimba. The theft happened on 25th June 2020 in Choma district. When he appeared for plea before Senior Resident Magistrate Idah Mupemo, he willingly admitted the charge read to him. Court: Have you understood the charge read to you? Mudenda: Yes Court: How do you plead? Mudenda: I admit. Court: Did you take the Goat belonging to Nelson Muchimba? Mudenda: I got it, but at the Police we agreed that I pay him. Court: Did you have lawful authority? Mudenda: No Court: Did you have any justification? Mudenda: I just errored. Court: Did you have any claim of right?  Mudenda: No Court: I record a plea of guilty. According to the facts stated by Senior Public Prosecutor Alex Syulikwa, the accused was apprehended after he sold Goat Meat to a Mr Nchimunya and left him with the skin. It was the skin that the owner recognised, and after probing Mr Nchimunya disclosed that he bought some goat meat from Mudenda. After Mudenda confirmed to the Court that the statement was a true reflection of the events, Magistrate Mupemo found him guilty in his own admission and convicted him accordingly. Despite being a first offender and of youthful age, the Court sentenced Mudenda to 9 months imprisonment with hard labourwith effect from date of arrest. The Sun