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A Lusaka youth will spend three years in jail after he stole 15 Sheep valued K22,000 belonging to Bakuni Farms.
Appearing in the Lusaka magistrate court before magistrate Kelvin Soma was Henry Phiri of Linda township accused of stock theft.
Phiri accepted stealing 15 Sheep saying he never had anything to do so he resorted to strike inorder to sell.
“So, if you don’t have nothing to do, the first thing that comes to your mind is stealing? Then people’s animals will finish. Because when you have nothing to do, you will be striking,” magistrate Soma said.
Facts read that on October 12, 2022, Lovemore Nnenge, a caretaker at Bakuni farms in Shimabala area went to the Kraal to feed his sheep some water but to his surprise the kraal was open and 15 sheep had gone missing and there were blood stains as evidence that some were slaughtered at the farm.
He reported the matter at shimabala police post to which a roadblock was mounted and Moses Daka a taxi driver was apprehended and found in possession of the sheep
He was asked about the sheep and said the accused had directed him to ferry the sheep in Lusaka.
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Moses led the police to Phiri’s residence.
The accused was apprehended and he admitted having stolen the sheep from Bakuni farms under warn and caution he admitted the charge without justification.
The sheep was valued at K22,000 one was slaughtered and the 14 were not recovered.
“I sold the 14 sheep in Chibolya at K7,000 I would set the price based on the size of the sheep,” he said.
The court found him guilty as charged and convicted him accordingly.
In mitigation, he asked God and the court to forgive him that he will never do it again.
“I want God and the court to forgive me. I didn’t know that prison is bad as hell. God should forgive me because I put my friend in trouble when I was the one who committed the crime. My wife and children will suffer, my wife is orphaned. I regret my actions I will never repeat stealing,” he said.
“You are a sophisticated man you look very simple. The offense you committed and convicted of is a very serious offence you left your home in Linda compound and travelled to Shimabala in Kafue to go and sweep this farmers sheep it means you were committed when committing this offence it did not occur by mistake it is something you planned to do,” magistrate said.
Soma said farmers are trying hard to raise and keep their animals in difficult times which is not easy.
“If I let you off the hook, many farmers will suffer because you told me you strike when you have nothing to do. You are young you can earn a life through decent means as opposed to stealing you must look into your behaviour you are married and should have thought about your family you can find vested ways of making money not the way you have chosen.
“I will keep you longer so that farmers can breath in order for you to reflect your life and set as an example to those engaged in stealing,” he warned.
Magistrate Soma sentenced Phiri to three years imprisonment with hard labour.
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