Nine men from Fort Rixon have been charged with multiple counts of stock th3ft in connection with the unlawful slaughter and sale of 34 st0len cattle, appearing before the Bulawayo Magistrates’ Court last week.
Named in the case are Ishmael Sibanda, Justin Zijena, Josphat Makuvaza, Piraishe Mandende, Peter Tiziri, Trust Ndlovu, Justice Zhou, Collinmore Kudakwashe, and Sabelo Moyo, all of whom pleaded not guilty and were remanded in custody until December 3.
Sibanda claimed to be a legitimate cattle buyer, asserting he obtained police clearance for his trade, while Zijena argued he purchased cattle from Sibanda that had accompanying clearance letters.
In contrast, Moyo maintained he only witnessed Sibanda bringing five cows, with other defendants denying any association with him.
The state outlined a pattern of theft, starting on June 14 when Kudakwashe Shoko reported the loss of six cattle, four of which were slaughtered, leading to similar cases involving other victims as well.
The court heard testimony about Benjamin Mukwena losing three cattle and Nikadzino Gumpo losing two, both within weeks of the initial incidents, with Jester Tizvigoni discovering six of his own cattle missing shortly thereafter.
By October, numerous victims, including Mathias Kutsire and Pharaoh Mangisi, reported cattle th3fts, with Chiropa losing six cattle on October 11, which the group allegedly loaded onto Zijena’s vehicle for transport.
The police became involved after local villagers caught the accused in the act with Chiropa’s cattle, prompting an investigation into their activities.
Further complicating the case, Owen Konzayi reported five of his own cattle as missing on September 19, valued at approximately US$1,900.
This series of events paints a troubling picture of organized cattle theft in the region, with the defendants maintaining their innocence amid a growing pile of evidence against them.
The community’s vigilance and subsequent reporting to law enforcement ultimately led to the arrest of the group, bringing to light the scale of the alleged theft and the significant impact on local farmers.
SOURCE : NEWSREPORTZIM.COM
