29-year-old Clement Abraham in Ngabu, Chikwawa district has been convicted and sentenced to 8 years imprisonment with hard labour for stealing a herd of 19 cattle worth K8.4 million.

Ngabu Police Post State Prosecutor Sub-Inspector, Amos Jobo told the court that on 12th November 2022, Abraham stole the cattle from a boy who was grazing them.

He added the boy went to his master to collect food; leaving the cattle at some borehole to drink water.

“When he came back, he found that all the cattle had been taken away by an unidentified person. Intensive search led to the arrest of the convict and recovery of the cattle,” explained Jobo.

In court, Abraham pleaded not guilty; prompting the state to parade five witnesses who proved beyond reasonable doubt that he was behind the theft.

Jobo asked the court to mete a stiffer sentence to the convict; arguing theft of cattle was rampant in Ngabu.

In mitigation, Abraham pleaded for leniency for he is the bread earner of his family.

First Grade Magistrate Chiyembekezo Phiri concurred with the state and handed Abraham an 8-year-jail term to act as a lesson to would be offenders.

The convict hails from Thayo village in the area of Chief Ngabu in Chikwawa.

Source; Malawi Wathu