Crime and Punishment

Cows being sold at the weekly market

There was loud commotion outside with men yelling at each other and people running around. The evenings here in Makungu are usually very quiet save for the blaring of the evening talk radio. But this night was definitely different. A young man of about 23 years old was apprehended for stealing tomatoes, probably about a bushel. Old traditional laws still have a grip over this small agrarian town, and the typical punishment for theft is either to cut off the thief's hands or to burn their bellies. This particular young man was tied to a stake and about to be burned alive. Just before the fire was set, his wife came to plead with the townspeople for his release. She offered two cows in exchange for his release and the young man was set free. The commotion was caused by the townspeople rushing over to feast on the cows that were slaughtered in exchange for the pardon of the young man's crime. This man's family paid for a bushel of tomatoes with two cows. Crime does not pay; especially if you get caught.