By Tadiwa Shunje
MASVINGO-A 29-year-old Bikita man, Talent Mazambara, has been sentenced to nine years in prison after he was convicted of stealing two cattle worth US$900 from a fellow villager.
Masvingo Deputy Provincial Police Spokesperson , Assistant Inspector Masauso Patinyu confirmed that the stock theft which occurred in Chief Mabika’s area earlier this month was uncovered following a community tip-off that led police to the suspect’s homestead.
Mazambara appeared before the Bikita Magistrate’s Court on January 23, charged with stock theft under section 114 of the criminal law (codification and reform) act [chapter 9:23] which criminalizes the unlawful taking of livestock with the intent to permanently deprive the owner of their property.
Assistant Inspector Patinyu said the complainant, Tamboonei Muchadakurwa (47) of Tamboonei village, Bikita, discovered the theft on the morning of January 20 after securing his cattle in a kraal the previous night.
‘Muchadakurwa had closed his cattle in the kraal on January 19 and went to sleep. Around 6am the following day, he noticed that two of his cattle, a brown cow and a brown heifer were missing,” said Patinyu.
The matter was reported at Mashoko Police Station, triggering investigations. The breakthrough comes after members of the community tipped off the complainant that the accused had been seen driving cattle towards his home.
“Acting on the information, the complainant and others went to the suspect’s homestead in Manjova village, Chief Mabika, where they found a brown cow tied in his kraal,’ said Patinyu.
Mazambara failed to give a satisfactory explanation when questioned about the animal.
The complainant positively identified the cow and Mazambara was arrested the same day and the stolen cattle, valued at US$600 and US300 respectively were recovered.
Police once again urged communities to brand their livestock and promptly report cases of stock theft to assist investigations.
