A 52-year-old man collapsed and died at the Chitungwiza Magistrates’ Courts last week soon after he was convicted of stealing a goat and selling the meat to his colleagues.

William Jakarasi died in a corridor as prison guards led him from the courtroom last week after magistrate Mr Brighton Pabwe found him guilty of stocktheft.

Jakarasi had just told the court that he had tuberculosis and pleaded for a non-custodial sentence so that he could have access to proper healthcare.

Mr Pabwe subsequently ordered that the convict be assessed for a community service sentence.

He, however, suddenly sagged between the guards who were leading him out of the courtroom to the community service office and died on the spot.

“We are still in the process of notifying his next of kin,” said Zimbabwe Prison Services acting public relations officer Superintendent Elizabeth Banda.

Jakarasi — who did not exhibit any signs of illness during his trial — had pleaded guilty to stocktheft charges when he first appeared before the court, but said he had stolen the goat “out of ignorance”.

Agreed facts are that on December 2 this year, Jakarasi — who was employed as a general hand at Chisandsa Farm — illegally entered Unadale Farm paddocks and slaughtered and skinned a goat belonging to Mohammad Cader.

Jakarasi sold the meat to fellow farm workers at Chisandsa Farm.

By The Herald

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