Prison is not the place for me

FRANCISTOWN: A young man in his 30s has pleaded with the magistrate not to impose a custodial sentence on him because life in prison is not for the faint-hearted like him. Joseph Tau and two accomplices were convicted of break-in and theft by Magistrate Peggy Madandume here yesterday. Tau is currently remanded in prison pending sentencing today, but he went down on his knees to ask for mercy yesterday. I have young siblings whom I am looking after, he said. I am also a farmer and my cattle will go astray if a custodial sentence is imposed on me. I am asking for forgiveness for what I did.

I will never commit this kind of offence again. Prison is not a place for people like me who want to do positive things in life. Please, when you pass the sentence, consider what I have said.