Precila Takabvirakare
MPANDAWANA – The love for beer has landed a Gutu man in trouble with the law as he was brought before magistrate Victor Muhamadi facing charges of stealing three cattle.
Obert Chibika (20), from Bhanditi village under Chief Gutu, was charged for contravening Section 114 (2) (a) of The Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act Chapter 9:23.
Chibika was sentenced 9 years in prison after being found guilty of the offence.
The State’s case, as presented by Samuel Magobeya, was that on an unknown date but in the month of February this year, Chibika teamed up with his friends Tawanda Magaji and Nelson Dukuti and stole Tsvakai Mutizwa’s three cattle from the grazing area in Mbirikiro village.
Chibika drove the cattle to Mpandawana Business Centre intending to sell them to a buyer found by Magaji.
The State further alleged that Chibika was selling the stock at $80 each. The buyer, however, questioned the cattle were being sold so cheaply, and he tipped the police, leading to the arrest of the suspect.
Asked by magistrate Mahamadi why he committed the offence, Chibika said he did not know what had come over him to be influenced by his friends to that extent.
“I do not know what had come over me. I was influenced by my friends that we should sell those cattle so that we can get money for beer,” said Chibika.crime
