The ManicaPost
Luthando Mapepa Chipinge Correspondent
ZIMBABWE Republic Police sergeant major, Gerald Tumbwi who is stationed in Chiredzi, is alleged to have connived with four other accomplices to steal 13 cattle in Chipinge District valued at $7 600.
The cop, Gerald Tumbwi (43) of ZRP, Chiredzi and other accomplices, Stewart Solomon (33), Eginitious Piki (42), Innocent Shairo (29) and Aleck Matimuse (29) appeared before Chipinge magistrate, Mr Poterai Gwezhira facing stock theft charges on Wednesday.
They pleaded not guilty to the charges and the matter was adjourned to March 13 for trial.
The State led by Mr Themba Dhliwayo stated that on February 6, the five accused persons connived to steal cattle which they would slaughter and sell the meat in Chiredzi town.
“Two of the accused persons, Steward Solomon and Egnitioous Piki proceeded to the complainant, Blessing Jinga’s kraal at Gavhiri Village under Chief Garahwa’s area, Chipinge during the night.
“They opened the kraal and drove out 13 of the 19 cattle which were in the pen.
“They drove the 13 cattle to Eginitious Piki’s homestead in Mawewe Village under Chief Tsvovani’s area in Chiredzi.
“On February 7, Stewart Solomon, Eginitious Piki, Innocent Shairo and Gerald Tumbwi met at Piki’s homestead and slaughtered two beasts.
“Shairo and Tumbwi took the meat to Chiredzi in an Isuzu pick-up truck, Registration Number ABK 9948 which was being driven by Aleck Matimuse,” said Mr Dhliwayo.
Mr Dhliwayo added that on February 8, Solomon and Piki drove the 11 remain cattle to plot Number 97, Village 4, Chizvirizvu under Chief Tsvovani’s area where Matimuse stays.
“On February 10, the accused sold two cattle to Jeremiah Vurumuku for $390. The following day, the suspects slaughtered two more cattle and hired an unknown truck to ferry the meat to Chiredzi town.
“On February 12, the five met again at Plot Number 97 and slaughtered two more cattle and sold the meat in Chiredzi,” he said.
Mr Dhliwayo said an informer alerted the police over the phone leading to the arrest of the accused persons at the scene of the crime where one carcass was recovered already loaded into Tumbwi’s vehicle and another carcass was recovered being skinned on the ground.
“After they were nabbed, five of the cattle were recovered at Plot Number 97, Village 4, Chiredzi and all were positively identified by the complainant.
“The accused person did not obtain any animal movement permit or verification by the ZRP on authenticity of ownership,” said Mr Dhliwayo.
The value of the recovered cattle is $1 100.
