Cow thief’s accomplice jailed 5 years

MULENGA MUSONDA writes
@SunZambian

THE Choma Magistrates Court has sentenced a 41-year-old man to five years imprisonment for being an accomplice in the theft of a cow valued at K3,000.

This was in a matter in which Choma Resident Magistrate Ethel Phiri found Jones Situmbeko guilty for stock theft contrary to the Laws of Zambia.

Particulars of the offence are that Biggie Sinakooma jointly and whilst acting with Jones Situmbeko on 10 February 2020 stole one cow valued at K3,000 the property of Boat Chilakwiza.

When the two earlier appeared for plea before Resident Magistrate Ethel Phiri, Sinakooma admitted the allegations made against him and was convicted whilst his accomplice vehemently denied to ever stealing the Cow which saw the case go into trial.

According to evidence on record, the animal was recovered at Situmbeko’s house in Mwapona Township tied to a tree.

When matter came up for judgement Tuesday morning before Court, Magistrate Phiri found the accused person guilty after establishing that he was an accomplice in the theft with intentions of depriving the owner permanently.

Despite being a first offender and pleading for lenience, Magistrate Phiri stated that her hands were tied as the offence is too serious and carries a minimum mandatory sentence of 5 years.

She thus slapped him with 5-year imprisonment with hard labour in order to deter would-be offenders.