The Mangochi First Grade Magistrate’s Court on Friday April 8 2022 convicted and sentenced Matola Nyaude, 57, to 9 years imprisonment with hard labour for stealing cattle on top of 6 years IHL he is serving for a similar offence he committed in January 2021.
The court through state prosecutor Sub lnspector Regina Chikungwa heard that in April 2021, Nyaude broke into Sila Issah’s cattle kraal and stole 11 heards of cattle.
Chikungwa said after noting this, the victim mobilised villagers who started following footsteps which led them to Mwawe Estate enroute to Mozambique.
The convict was caught red handed while sitting under the tree with the cattle. Sensing danger, the convict ran away with one cattle and dumped 10 cattle.
He also dropped a black bag containing 2 scumbers, ropes and IDs.
The matter was reported at Mangochi Police Station who arrested the convict who was also on few a wanted list, few days later.
Appearing before court, Nyaude pleaded not guilty to a charge of theft of cattle. This prompted the state to parade five witnesses who proved the case beyond all reasonable doubt and he was convicted accordingly.
In mitigation, Nyaude asked for court’s leniency, saying that he was already serving jail term and also has a family which depends on him.
In her submission, prosecutor Chikungwa asked for a custodial sentence saying the convict is a well known cattle rustler noting that sweeping all the cattle in the kraal is more like killing the person and such behaviour cannot be tolerated. Chikungwa added that the convict is already serving another sentence for a similar offence he committed in January 2021 saying this indicates how dangerous he is to the society.
First Grade Magistrate Mtunduwatha Mpasu concurred with the state’s submission hence added 9 years on his sentence to deter other would be offenders and he will serve 15 years imprisonment with hard labour as the sentence with run consecutively.
Nyaude hails from Namputu Village in the area of Traditional Authority Katuli in Mangochi District.
Sub Inspector Amina Tepani Daudi
PRO- Mangochi Police Station
Cell:0999-706-525
Email:mamateps1152@gmail.com
Website:www.police.gov.mw