MASVINGO — The son of former Zanu PF provincial chairman and ex-secretary general of the Zimbabwe National Liberation War Veterans Association, the late Alex Mudavanhu, is reportedly on the run after he skipped trial on charges of stocktheft.
Report by Tatenda Chitagu
Assah Mudavanhu on Monday absconded court where he was supposed to answer to charges of stealing 16 cattle which he allegedly hid on a farm that was grabbed from a white commercial farmer under President Robert Mugabe’s controversial land reform programme.
His co-accused, Watson Chamisa (26) of Plot Number 24 Rippling Waters, however, appeared before Masvingo Magistrate Oliver Mudzongachiso this week.
Chamisa pleaded not guilty to the charges and he is expected to be back in court on Friday.
Appearing for the State, Tafirei Tandirai told the court that the two on January 15 this year allegedly stole four cattle worth $1 400 from Joseph Chivakire of Chief Charumbira’s area.
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Between January 31 and February 2 this year, the two allegedly went to Chimombe farm where they stole another nine beasts from Chivheya Mazvidza also of Chief Charumbira area.
The beasts were valued at $5 200.
Barely a week later, the court heard the two allegedly stole another three beasts in the same area worth $2 000.
They allegedly used the Swatfontein Farm — grabbed by Mudavanhu — as a haven for the stolen beasts.
The two allegedly invited one Constable Shongai to clear the beasts before taking them to Koala Park abattoir for sale.
However, they ran out of luck after some of the owners identified the beasts before they were sold, leading to their arrest on April 23. A manhunt for Mudavanhu has ensued.