Nchalo First Grade Magistrate court has convicted and sentenced three men to 10 years imprisonment with hard labour each for stealing 19 cattle valued at K8.5 million.
The court through state prosecutor, Henry Walusa from Nchalo Police Post heard that the trio, Patrick Jackson aged 27 of Chambuluka village, Traditional Authority (TA) Maseya, 28-year-old Chifundo Samu and Alick Fred aged 38 both from Bester village, TA Lundu in Chikwawa district, on 6 April,2023 stole 19 herds of cattle belonging to a certain farmer at Malemia village in the district.
Appearing in court, the accused pleaded not guilty to the charge which prompted the state to parade three witnesses to proved the case.
In his submission, Walusa prayed for a stiff custodial sentence considering that theft of livestock in Chikwawa district is rampant hence the sentence should be a deterrent to other would be offenders.
“Out of 19 herds of cattle which were stolen, only 12 were recovered and other seven have not been recovered hence the huge loss to the owner,” Walusa said.
In their mitigations, the three asked the court to give them a lenient sentence considering that they are bread winners for their families.
Passing his judgement, Magistrate John Nsomba concurred with the state and then sentenced each of them to 10 years imprisonment with hard labour.
Reported by Alex Splendor Ngulube