The Kapiri Mposhi Magistrates’ Court has sentenced two men to seven years’ imprisonment for stealing cattle valued at K30,000.
Evans Tembo, 36, and Allan Chitambala, 55, both of Ndola on the Copperbelt, were convicted for stealing one cow and one oxen belonging to Beauty Chibuye.
Particulars of the offence are that Tembo, Chitambala, and Misheck Zulu, on December 15th, 2025, in Kapiri Mposhi District of Central Province, jointly and whilst acting together, stole one cow and one oxen valued at K30,000.
The offence is Theft of Stock, contrary to Section 282B (1) (b) (3) of the Penal Code Chapter 87 of the Laws of Zambia, as read with Act No. 20 of 2023.
The court heard that the theft occurred on December 15, 2025, around 05:00 hours, and the matter was later reported to the police after the owner discovered the animals missing.
Further evidence before the court revealed that the duo slaughtered the stolen cattle and sold the meat to a butcher in Ndola, who later testified during trial proceedings.
The court also heard that this was a routine operation for the two men, who would travel to Kapiri Mposhi to steal cattle, slaughter them, and sell the meat in Ndola.
It was also established that the suspects would hide in a church at night as part of their plan to evade detection.
The duo was eventually discovered by members of the community while hiding in a church, who alerted the police leading to their arrest on January 22, 2026.
On the day of their arrest, the two were found in possession of equipment suspected to have been used for slaughtering cattle.
Sentencing the duo, Magistrate Chizawu Mutete warned the convicts against engaging in criminal activities, stating that such offences attracted stiff penalties and imposed a two-year jail sentence.
