The ManicaPost
Luthando Mapepa Chipinge Correspondent
A 45-YEAR-OLD Chipinge man who teamed up with his accomplice who is still at large to steal neighbours’ six cattle was slapped with an effective 18-year jail term last week.Edison Makenyu of Chadamoyo Village under Chief Garahwa’s area pleaded not guilty when he appeared before Chipinge magistrate, Mrs Sharon Chipanga.
He was, however, convicted after a full trial for stealing Mr Reketai Dzingai and Mr Solomon Hlayiso’s beasts.
The accused was charged with stock theft as defined in Section 114(2) (a) of the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act, Chapter 9:23.
Prosecuting, Mr Regis Mawarire, said on August 13, the complainants released their cattle to the pastures and left them unattended.
“When they went to collect them they discovered that some of them were missing. At around 8pm, the accused and Solomon Dhliwayo who is still at large stole Mr Dzingai’s four cattle from the pastures where they were grazing.
“On the same day, they proceeded to Mr Hlayiso’s homestead and stole his two beasts. The complainants kept searching for their missing cattle, but their efforts were in vain until they heard that Makenyu and Dhliwayo had transported the cattle to Zaka using a Toyota Dyna truck which was being driven by Bartable Mutanda,” he said.
Mr Mawarire said the complainants reported the matter to the police who followed up and upon their arrival at Naison Sithole’s homestead in Zaka, Hlayiso identified one of his beasts which Makenyu wanted to exchange with an oxen. They proceeded to Sazaume Village, Zaka where the accused has another homestead. The complainants discovered all their beasts, of which one of them had already been used to pay lobola for Dhliwayo’s girlfriend and the accused was arrested.
