MANZINI – A 26-year-old Nhlambeni man who told the court that hunger drove him to steal a cock has been fined E1000 or sentenced to one year in prison.
The accused, Ciniso Simelane, appeared before the Manzini Magistrates Court and pleaded guilty to stealing a gold, brownish and white cock valued at E220. The cock belonged to Nelisiwe Dladla and was allegedly stolen on July 1, 2026, at or near Nhlambeni, under Chief Matatazela. The case came to light after Dladla discovered that her cock was missing. As she tried to establish what had happened to the bird, Dladla reportedly mentioned to another boy that she had lost her cock. The boy then told Dladla that he had seen Simelane carrying what appeared to be the missing cock underneath a jacket. The information raised suspicion, leading to Simelane being confronted over the whereabouts of the bird. It was during the ensuing discovery that Simelane was found with the cock, according to the information presented in connection with the case.
The matter was subsequently reported to the police, resulting in Simelane being charged with theft. When the charge was read to him in court, Simelane pleaded guilty to the offence. The magistrate then asked him why he had stolen the cock. In response, Simelane gave a brief explanation, saying: “I was hungry.”
His admission meant that the matter proceeded on his guilty plea, with the prosecution accepting the plea. The court was also informed that Simelane had no previous record. Before sentence was handed down, Simelane apologised for the offence. The court subsequently sentenced him to one year imprisonment or a fine of E1 000. The sentence means Simelane could avoid serving the one-year custodial term by paying the E1 000 fine imposed by the court.
The stolen cock had been valued at E220, according to the charge sheet.
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