Wellington Mukonde, a 39-year-old resident of Beitbridge, appeared before the Beitbridge Magistrate Court facing charges of stock th3ft.
Mukonde was accused of ste@ling a valuable boer goat that belonged to the Zimbabwe Prison and Correctional Services (ZPCS).
According to the evidence presented in court, on May 26, 2024, an inmate at Dulibadzimu Grazing Area was assigned the task of herding 135 goats. At around 1600 hours, the inmate discovered that one of the goats was missing. The inmate immediately reported the matter to a ZPCS official.
The following day, May 27, 2024, the inmate met the accused person, Wellington Mukonde, who was selling goat meat. When questioned about the origin of the meat, Mukonde failed to provide a satisfactory answer.
The inmate’s report led to an investigation by ZPCS officials, which ultimately resulted in the recovery of the goat skin that matched the description of the missing goat.
Based on the evidence gathered during the investigation, Wellington Mukonde was @rrested and charged with stock th3ft.
Mukonde was sentenced to nine months in prison.
Additionally, a prior suspended sentence of three months was brought into effect, making his total sentence effective imprisonment period 12 months.
The court’s decision was made after considering the evidence presented and weighing the severity of the offense against the accused’s prior criminal record. The sentence serves as a deterrent to others who may be tempted to engage in similar illegal activities.
The ZPCS has commended the inmate for his diligence and quick thinking in reporting the theft of the goat, which ultimately led to the @rrest and conviction of the accused.
SOURCE : NEWSREPORTZIM.COM
