Third Grade Magistrate Court sitting at Bolero in Rumphi on Wednesday convicted and sentenced a 39-year-old man to two years imprisonment with hard labour for stealing a goat, an offence which is contrary to Section 281 of the Penal Code.
Police Prosecutor Andrew Singini told the court that the accused, Harry Chindikani Mfune and his two accomplices during the wee hours of September 6, 2020, broke in a goats’ kraal belonging to Dangomani Munthali.
Singini said the three slaughtered and hid the goat in a bush.
“This happened at Mkama area in the area of Traditional Authority Chikulamayembe in Rumphi District,” said Singini.
He said Munthali, with assistance from community members launched a search for the goat and later arrested Singini in connection to the theft.
Mfune pleaded not guilty to the charge leveled against him which forced the state to parade four witnesses who testified beyond reasonable doubt that the accused committed the offence.
In his submission, Singini asked the court to give a meaningful sentence to Mfune, saying that criminal cases of such nature are rampart in the district.
“Criminal cases of such nature are on the surge in the district, hence the offender needs to be given a stiffer punishment to deter other would-be offenders,” said Singini.
In passing her judgment, Her Worship Chikumbutso Kachipande concurred with the state submissions and melt out two years imprisonment with hard labour to the accused.
Harry Chindikani Mfune hails from Muzgepula Village in Paramount Chief Chikulamayembe in Rumphi District.
