By KASONDE KASONDE –
TWO unemployed youths of Kabwe have been sentenced to two years imprisonment with hard labour for stealing a goat.
Thomas Mulima, 20, and Mweetwa Phiri, 21, were facing one count of stock theft.
Mulima and Phiri between March 24 and 25, 2015 in Kabwe whilst acting together stole one goat valued at K300. When arrested and taken to court the two pleaded guilty to the charge.
In mitigation, Mulima pleaded with the court to be lenient on him as he was a first offender.
Phiri asked the court to be lenient with him as he was an orphan who had no one to help him hence ending up engaging in illegal activities to fend for himself.
Kabwe Magistrate Chimuka Mutafela in passing judgment said he was slapping the two with a two-year sentence as stock theft cases had increased over the years.
Mr Mutafela said people who steal animals frustrate Government efforts to empower the locals who depend on the animals for their livelihood.
“The court is sending you to prison for two years so that you can serve as a warning to people who are stealing animals in the communities”, Mr Mutafela said.
He said people are able to send their children to school through the money they get from selling their animals, adding that the courts of law would not be lenient on stock thieves.
