The ManicaPost
Luthando Mapepa Chipinge Correspondent
A 29-year-old Chipinge man who stole and sold fellow villagers’ three cattle was sentenced to 12 years behind bars. The accused, Aleck Mlambo of Madhuku village under Chief Musikavanhu area appeared before senior Chipinge magistrate Mr Noah Gwatidzo on Monday facing stock theft charges as defined in section 114 (2) (a) of the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act Chapter 9:23.
He pleaded guilty to the charge. Mlambo however, will serve an effective 11 years behind bars after Mr Gwatidzo suspended one year on the condition of good behaviour in the next period of five years. Circumstances are that on October 27, 2017 at around 6 pm, the complainant, Enock Gwenzi (41) of Gumura Village, penned his herd of five cattle for the night.
On the same date Mlambo connived with Mapipi Sigauke, who is still at large, and they stole three beasts belonging to Gwenzi and drove them to Mlambo’s homestead. On the November 4, 2017, Gwenzi went to Madhuku village in search of his stolen beasts. On his way to Madhuku village he came across Robert Moyana, a member of the police constabulary and decided to report the case. On November 8, Moyana received a tip off that Mlambo had sold two beasts to Cames Mubi and the description that he was given fitted well with the description of the stolen cattle.
After getting the tip off, Moyana in the company of Gwenzi and Joshua Mugejo proceeded to Mlambo’s homestead where they went on to find one hornless heifer in his kraal. The heifer was positively identified by the complainant as his. Mlambo was subsequently arrested and charged with stock theft. The total value of the beasts that were stolen was $1 000 and only one beast worth $200 was recovered.
In his defence, Mlambo said that he indeed stole the beasts but he was coerced into carrying out the offence. However, Mr Gwatidzo turned down his plea as he said Mlambo has committed a serious crime which accounted for a jail sentence not less than 9 years. Mrs Edith Phiri was prosecuting.
