A 20-year-old man in Lundazi district in Eastern Province has been convicted and sentenced to six months imprisonment with hard labour for the offence of stock theft.

Baron Mkandawire of Soilder village in Lundazi pleaded guilty to one count of stock theft contrary to Section 282B (1) (a) and 3(a) and 272 as amended by Act number 20/23 of the Penal Code Chapter 87 of the laws of Zambia.

Appearing before Lundazi Resident Magistrate, Miyato Muyambango, was Baron Mkandawire, jointly charged with two other accomplices, namely, Lameck Banda 28 and Temwani Phiri 34, who have since denied the charge.

Facts of the offence are that on 3rd March this year, the trio jointly whilst acting together did steal a female goat valued at K500, the property of Adams Banda.

The theft took place after the complainant, Adams Nkhoma, secured his 26 goats by tying them to a tree with a rope.

This was after his kraal collapsed following a heavy downpour.

The court heard that the complainant noticed the following day that one of his female goats was missing and found it slaughtered and in possession of the accused persons.

In mitigation, Mkandawire showed remorse saying he was personally misled and did not know that it was a stolen goat.

And in passing judgement, Magistrate Muyambango considered the fact that he was the first offender entitled to lenience, and sentenced him to six months imprisonment with hard labour with effect from the date of arrest!

Meanwhile, the court adjourned the hearing for the other two suspects to 16th April, 2024 for mention and setting of trial date.