GWERU — A Chirumhanzu man will languish in prison for the next nine years following his conviction for stocktheft.
Tafara Firinado (20) was convicted on his own plea of guilty to stocktheft when he appeared before magistrate Rutendo Muchena on Friday.
The court heard Firinado of Maramba village in Chirumhanzu teamed up with Moses Jiri and Andrew Malunga and stole one heifer which they slaughtered. The beast belonged to Firinando’s former employer, Enock Chiropa.
Said Muchena before passing sentence: “Stocktheft cases are rampant and the law has to play a role and assist farmers in protecting their livestock.
“The sentence has to act as a warning to would-be offenders that it is a serious offence punishable with a custodial sentence.”
Prosecutor Andrew Marimo stated that on dates unknown to the court, but between July 21 and 23, Firinando was approached by Jiri and Malunga. They then connived to steal the beast.
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It is the State case that afterwards they drove the heifer to Chitimira Farm near Harare-Masvingo highway. They slaughtered the beast and loaded the meat onto their getaway Mazda pick-up truck.
Firinando was held as the first suspect, leading to the arrest of his alleged accomplices who are both denying the charge.