Short-Lived Honeymoon: 19-Year-Old Man Sentenced To 9 Years In Jail For Stealing Cow To Pay Lobola

A 19-year-old man has been sentenced to 9 years in jail after stealing a cow to pay lobola to his in-laws in a bizarre incident which got him a short-lived honeymoon with his new bride.

According to a post shared on the National Prosecuting Authority’s X page, Locky Chigwengwe, a 19-year-old resident of Nyawiswa village, faced the Karoi Magistrates’ Court on charges of stock theft.The incident occurred on April 12, 2024, at approximately 6 PM. The complainant had secured his cattle at the Dabvu homestead before heading home for the evening. When he locked his pen, he made sure that all his animals were locked in safely for the night.

The Theft That Led To Chigwengwe’s Arrest

Under the cover of darkness, Chigwengwe approached the complainant’s kraal. He stealthily untied a black cow with distinctive curved horns and led it away without being detected. The complainant and his family did not hear any of the noise while asleep for the night. The next day, he used the stolen cow to pay lobola to Ian Wamiridza of Muchena Village.

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Man lands in jail for lobola cow theft — Man gets jail sentence for stealing cow to pay lobola-Image Source@iStock

The complainant realized the cow was missing the following morning around 8 AM when he went to let out his beasts for grazing. He promptly reported it to the authorities at the nearest police station. An investigation ensued, and by April 14, 2024, Wamiridza was found in possession of the stolen cow. Upon questioning, Wamiridza identified Chigwengwe as the perpetrator, leading to his arrest.ALSO READ: Botswana Woman Lesedi Molapisi Sentenced to Death in Bangladesh for Smuggling Drugs

Legal Consequences

The stolen cow was valued at $400. After being found guilty of the theft. Chigwengwe was sentenced to nine years in prison after he was found guilty by the court.