Precila Takabvirakare
A Gutu veterinary officer Kudzai Murima (34) was recently sentenced to 45 years in prison by magistrate Mandlenkosi Ndhlovu on five counts of stock theft.
State facts as presented by prosecutor Ratchel Murape are that on December 14 2019 at around 2200hours in Haurovi village Chief Gutu, Wonderful Chimuka connived with Tafadzwa Moyo and Tadiwanashe Mabhugu who have since been convicted of the same offence to go to Ephraim Ziuchi’s homestead and steal two beasts which they drove to Chimuka’s place for safekeeping. The following day Chimuka called Murima who bought them at US$385 and took them to Montana Meats Masvingo for slaughtering.
After stealing Ziuchi’s beasts, the trio of Chimuka, Moyo and Mabhugu proceeded to Kasbert Chada’s homestead during the same night and stole three oxen, tied them and drove them to Chimuka’s place as they waited for Murima to come and buy them.
Murima bought two beasts at US$275 and took them to Montana Meats Masvingo. On December 18, at around 2200hrs at farm 62 Dewure Central, Chimuka , Bodywin Chinhamo and Chipochashe Mamhundu proceeded to Namatirai Zembe’s place at night and stole two beasts . On December 19 Chimuka contacted Murima who came to Chimuka’s place and bought the beasts at US $600 and took them to Montana Meats on December 20, 2019 for slaughtering.
As per count one to three, on December 24 2019 at around midnight at Dondo village, Chief Gutu, Chimuka, Moyo and Mabhugu proceeded to Simbarashe Dondo’s homestead and stole two beasts and drove them to Chimuka’s place. Chimuka then contacted Murima who bought them for US$400. On December 24, 2019, Murima sold the beasts to Montana Meats Masvingo. On December 30, 2019 at around 2200hrs and at Mbengo village Chimuka, Moyo and Mabhugu went to Petros Chirume’s homestead and stole two beasts before driving them to Chimuka’s place.
On December 31, Chimuka called Murima who came and bought one beast at US $500 and took it to Montana Meats. One beast was left tied to the tree in the bush. Police received a tip off to the effect that there was an ox tied to a tree leading to the recovery of the beast.
As per count one to five, on December 30 2019, at Hwekwe village Moyo and Mabhugu went to Farai Muvanzi’s homestead and stole two beasts. Chimuka then contacted Murima to buy them and he bought them at US $550, he took one to Montana and left the other one with Chimuka. The police received a tip off that there was a stolen ox and it was recovered.
On January 2, 2020 at around 1900hrs in Makondo village, Chimuka and Moyo proceeded to Claudious Fanye’s place and stole a beast and drove it to Chimuka’s homestead. Chimuka called Murima who bought the beast at US$350 and took it to Montana meats Masvingo for slaughter. Investigations were made and it was found that Murima used fraudulent clearance certificates to process the change of ownership of stolen beasts to himself leading to his arrest. The certificates were brought in court as evidence.
