A man of Chikankata District in Southern Province has escaped death after an irate community almost burnt him alive when he attempted to steal a cow in Matente village of Siavonga District.
The suspect, Sylvester Miyoba narrates during the ordeal that he had traveled to the area in possession of a K5, 934 in a bid to buy a cow, but opted to steal it from a farmer who had placed it on sale.
An emotional Miyoba who was bundled in a pile of tyres and wood by an angry mob that was about to set him ablaze, says his attempt was foiled by members of the public that then wanted to take matters into their hands but was rescued by Munyama Ward Councilor Specio Mulaziki.
The suspect is yet to be handed over to the police.
Reacting to the incident, Chief Simamba of the Tonga people of Siavonga District, has revealed that stock theft in his chiefdom is rampant, hence bemoans insignificant intervention from the police in containing the problem.
He adds that hardly a week goes by without reports of his subjects losing cattle, a situation he says is retrogressive to farmers whose mainstay is livestock.
By Helga Chibwe