MBABANE – Two men who were employees of Stelio Security Company were arrested for stealing two sheep from Forks Fort Farm which is under Tibiyo Takangwane which are valued at E8 000.
Wandile Zwane and Mlungisi Magagula appeared on Tuesday before Senior Magistrate, Sifiso Vilakati, charged with violating Section 18(3) of the Stock Theft Act.
Vilakati sentenced the duo to two years imprisonment without the option of a fine.
According to an eyewitness, Meshack Maziya, the theft occurred on 26 July, when he noticed a light coming from the sheep kraal during the night.
He discovered that the kraal door was open and that two black sheep were missing.
Maziya told the court that he followed the footprints from the kraal to a house where the two accused lived and from there raised the alarm.
The matter was reported to the community police. They acted promptly to the matter, leading to the arrest.
Both accused pleaded guilty.
Giving detailed accounts, Magagula who masterminded the crime said he was on duty that night.
The sheep were allegedly slaughtered by the river, with the skins discarded by the river bank.
Zwane also told the court that he took part in the crime out of hunger.
He said his monthly salary was seized by a loan shark from whom he borrowed money.
By stealing the sheep, he said he wanted to provide food for himself.
“Your worship, please give me a second chance. It was out of hunger. I wanted something to eat since I was not receiving my salary,” pleaded Zwane.
Meanwhile, Magagula, cited emotional stress. He said he recently lost his father. He also said the financial strain of having to cover funeral expenses was heavy on him.
Magagula stated that he is the primary caretaker of a two-
year-old child and has rent as well as other responsibilities.
When asked how they used the meat, Zwane said he cooked it and had no intention of selling it, while Magagula admitted to cooking some, storing some in the fridge, and selling part of it for E200.
The court found their explanations unconvincing.
Magistrate Vilakati said Zwane’s voluntary
borrowing from a loan shark and the decision to eat the stolen meat did not justify the act.
It was just a an act of poor decision making, he said, adding that similarly, Magagula’s sale of part of the meat contradicted his claim of hardship.
They were then sentenced to two years in prison without the option of a fine and informed of their right to appeal at the High Court, if they feel the ruling was not fair.
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