POLICE are lobbying the Attorney General’s Office to ensure that the mandatory sentence for stock theft is increased from nine to 30 years per beast, with theft of a chicken attracting a five year mandatory sentence.

Addressing villagers from Mayobodo area in Mangwe District last Friday, national anti-stock theft coordinator Senior Assistant Commissioner Erasmus Makodza said they were also lobbying for a 20 year jail sentence for theft of a goat or donkey and five year jail term for theft of a chicken.

He said they submitted a letter to the AG’s office with their recommendations.

Snr Asst Comm Makodza raised concern that some thieves were being sentenced to only nine years after stealing more than one beast.