Zimbabwe thief faced a unique punishment after being apprehended in the act at Pumula suburb.

The culprit, caught in the act, cited desperation due to “January disease,” a local term referring to financial strain post-festive season spending.

Despite his plea for mercy, the unsympathetic crowd insisted on a harsh consequence: either consuming the stolen broiler raw or enduring severe thrashing.

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The thief, faced with limited options, reluctantly ate the uncooked chicken in front of onlookers, a scene captured by numerous cellphone cameras.

A resident of Pumula suburb shared, “With blood dripping from the corner of his lips, he would occasionally cough out a feather or two as he screwed up his face like someone swallowing the bitterest gall.

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The beatings, somehow, were worse for him as he ate the obviously unpalatable meal to stop them. I think he will never eat chicken or white meat again, for as long as he lives.”