By Mwebantu Editor

Copyright mwebantu

A rather daring caretaker has been sentenced to five years’ imprisonment with hard labour for stealing 14 heads of cattle at a judge’s farm, which was under his care.

Given Chikonkoto, 43, was sent to jail after admitting stealing cattle belonging to Edward Musona, the judge-in-charge of the High Court, Industrial Relations Division.

He was charged with two counts of theft of stock or produce and theft by servant.

Allegations are that between September 1, 2024, and May 22, 2025, the accused stole 14 cattle heads worth K98, 000.

In the count two, it is alleged that between the same dates, Chinkonkoto, as a servant, again stole more goods at the adjudicators’ property-two rolls of poly pipes, two solar panels, eight chickens, and 2,000×4 building blocks, all valued at K22, 500.

Chikonkoto denied the theft by servant allegation but admitted stealing cattle when he appeared before Lusaka principal resident magistrate Idah Phiri.

The accused said: “I was a caretaker and I took them from the kraal. I took them to Mr Mugoba and Tammy. I had no lawful authority. It was the farm manager’s plan, and he [manager] ran away” the accused said.

Facts are that on May 22, 2025, the complainant went to his farm for routine checks but discovered that some cattle were missing.

When the judge queried the accused about the missing cattle, he never gave a satisfactory answer before admitting stealing the animals, before the theft was reported to the police.

Asked if the facts were correct, Chinkonkoto replied in the affirmative but that the missing heads of cattle was 11, not 14, and that nine were recovered.

“I don’t know about the other cattle,” the accused said before being convicted.

In mitigation, Chinkonkoto, who told court he underwent an operation, begged for leniency, pledging never to steal again.

“I listened to my friend and it has led to all this,” the convict pleaded.

But the magistrate said to help the convict reform and to deter would be offenders, she needed to impose the minimum mandatory five-year jail term on the convict.

Trial will continue for the charge the convict denied.

(Mwebantu, Tuesday, 16th September, 2025)