Footprint trail leads to goat thief

MULENGA MUSONDA writes

@SunZambian

THE Choma Magistrates Court has sentenced a 35-year-old farmer to a 6 month jail term for stealing one Goat.

This was in a matter in which Felix Siyanyanga was convicted of Theft in his own admission.

Particulars of the offence are that Siyanyanga on 7 March 2020 in Choma stole 1 Goat valued at K400 the property of Racheal Siandembwe.

When he appeared for plea before Resident Magistrate Ethel Phiri Friday morning, he willingly admitted the allegation made against him

Court: How do you plead?

Siyanyanga: I admit

Court: You admit that you stole the said Goat?

Siyanyanga: Yes

Court: Were you owed anything?

Siyanyanga: No

Court: Were you allowed to?

Siyanyanga: No

Court: Did you have any lawful justification or claim of right?

Siyanyanga: No

Court: Court records a plea of guilty.

According to facts stated by Public Prosecutor Catherine Sakala, Siyanyanga was apprehended after footprint trails led the complainants to his house after noticing that the animal was missing.

In mitigation, Siyanyanga pleaded with the Court to exercise lenience saying he was hungry and wanted to buy mealie meal from the proceeds of the loot.

Magistrate Phiri in her sentencing observed that he was a first offender who readily admitted the charge and such deserved lenience.

She thus sentenced him to 6 months simple imprisonment jail term with effect from date of sentencing.