GOKWE – A 39-year-old man from Kamhiripiri area under Chief Chireya was on Tuesday sentenced to a 10-year jail term for stealing a stray cow kept by his neighbour. STAFF REPORTER
Charlton Nkani was sentenced following his own plea of guilty to stocktheft when he appeared before magistrate Shepherd Mjanja.
Nkani will, however, serve an effective nine-year sentence after one year was suspended on condition he paid $300 restitution to the complainant Raymon Mhezi on or before April 30.
In mitigation, Nkani told the court he intended to sell the cow to raise money to buy food for his starving family. The court heard that on December 18 last year, Nkani went to Mhezi’s kraal where the stray beast was being kept and drove it out.
Mhezi discovered the theft the following day and immediately launched investigations leading to Nkani’s arrest.
Upon interrogation, Nkani confessed to have taken the beast to his cousin Mtsvakiwa Dube’s home before further transferring it to another relative identified as Julius Nzirayengoro. He later sold it.
