CHINHOYI — A 21-year-old cattle rustler who stole three beasts worth $1 200 from a grazing area in Makonde district has been sentenced to an effective 15-year jail term. Own Correspondent
Norest Kumanje of Kasoko Village 2 under Chief Magonde in Chinhoyi was initially slapped with a 20-year prison term on Tuesday before Chinhoyi magistrate Felix Mawadze suspended five years on condition of good behaviour.
The court heard that on March 4 this year, complainant Makaki Manda of Village 3, Muvhami Farm, discovered that three of his cattle were missing from the pastures where they had been grazing.
On March 9, complainant got information that there was a suspected stock thief who had been intercepted and arrested at Chivhere Business Centre in Makonde.
Two days later, complainant followed up the leads and went on to positively identify his stolen cattle at headman Mapani’s residence where they were being kept. The matter was reported to police in Zvimba. Tinashe Dzvore prosecuted.