The Penal Code (Amendment) Act, 2023

An Act to amend the Penal Code.
[ 26th December, 2023
ENACTED by the Parliament of Zambia.
1. This Act may be cited as the Penal Code (Amendment)
Act, 2023 and shall be read as one with the Penal Code, in this Act
referred to as the principal Act.
2. The principal Act is amended by the repeal of section 275.
3. The principal Act is amended by the insertion of the
following new Chapter immediately after Chapter XXVI.
CHAPTER XXVIA
OFFENCES RELATING TO STOCK
282A. In this Chapter, unless the context otherwise requires—
“stock” includes a horse, mare, gelding, ass, mule, camel,
ostrich, ram, ewe, wether, goat, pig, bull, cow, ox or the
young of such animal; and
“produce” means the whole or any part of any skins, hides,
horns or carcass of stock, any wool, mohair, ostrich egg or
ostrich feathers.
Enactment
Short title
[No. 20 of 2023 359Penal Code (Amendment)
Cap.87
Repeal of
Section 275
Insertion of
Chapter
XXVIA
Interpretation
GOVERNMENT OF ZAMBIA
ACT
No. 20 of 2023
Date of Assent: 22nd December, 2023
Single copies of this Act may be obtained from the Government Printer,
P.O. Box 30136, 10101 Lusaka, Price K 8.00 each.

of Assent: 22nd December, 2023
Single copies of this Act may be obtained from the Government Printer,
P.O. Box 30136, 10101 Lusaka, Price K 8.00 each.

282B. (1) A person who steals any of the following commits an
offence:
(a) a horse, mare, gelding, ass, mule, camel, ostrich, ram,
ewe, wether, goat or pig, or the young of such animal;
and
(b) a bull, cow or ox, or the young of such animal. (2) A person who is convicted of an offence under subsection
(1)(a) is liable —
(a) in the case of a first offence, to imprisonment for a term
not exceeding fifteen years; and
(b) in the case of a second and subsequent offence, to
imprisonment for a term of not less than seven years
and not exceeding fifteen years. (3) A person who is convicted of an offence under subsection
(1)(b) is liable—
(a) in the case of a first offence, to imprisonment for a term
of not less than five years and not exceeding fifteen
years; and
(b) in the case of a second or subsequent offence, to
imprisonment for a term of not less than seven years
and not exceeding fifteen years. (4) A person who steals produce commits an offence and is
liable, on conviction, to imprisonment for a term not exceeding fifteen
years. 282C.

years. (4) A person who steals produce commits an offence and is
liable, on conviction, to imprisonment for a term not exceeding fifteen
years. 282C.

A person who procures, incites, hires, directs, instigates,
or colludes with, another person to steal stock or produce commits
an offence and is liable on conviction, to the penalty specified under
section 282B as if that person had stolen the stock or produce. 282D. (1) A person who has in that person’s possession stock
or produce which that person knows or ought reasonably to have
known or suspected is stolen stock or produce commits an offence
and is liable, on conviction—
(a) in case of a first offence, to imprisonment for a term of
not less than five years and not exceeding twelve years;
and
(b) in case of a second or subsequent offence, to imprisonment
for a term of not less than seven years and not exceeding
fifteen years. 360 No. 20 of 2023] Penal Code (Amendment)
Theft of
Stock or
produce
Procuring,
inciting etc
theft of
stock or
produce
Possession
of stolen
stock or
produce

. 20 of 2023] Penal Code (Amendment)
Theft of
Stock or
produce
Procuring,
inciting etc
theft of
stock or
produce
Possession
of stolen
stock or
produce

[No. of 2023 361Penal Code (Amendment)
Night
delivery of
stock
282E. A person who, for the purposes of trade, makes or
accepts delivery at night of any produce or stock except pig
commits an offence and is liable, on conviction—
(a) in the case of a first offence, to community service for a
term not exceeding six months; and
(b) in the case of a second and subsequent offence, to
imprisonment for a term not exceeding five years.

362