A ZIMBABWEAN herder working at a Botswana cattle post burnt his employer’s 14 goats in a fit of rage over non-payment of his wage for three months.
Reports from Botswana say Andrew Sibanda (38) was employed as a herder at Dibongwane cattle post, 8km from Botswana’s Tonota town.
Sibanda was on a 600 pula monthly wage, and the three months arrears totalled P1 800.
In anger, he allegedly torched to death 14 of 33 goats at the cattle post.
It is reported that he gathered dry leaves around the goats before setting them on fire.
He also set his employer’s shack and another building on fire before handing himself to the police.
Sibanda claimed that he was pushed to the edge by hunger, frustration and failure to send money to his family back in Zimbabwe.
Tonota police commander Oteng Ngada told the media that when police officers attended the scene, they found 14 goats dead.
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Sibanda appeared before the Francistown Magistrates’ Court where he was charged with arson, injuring animals and entering the country through an un-gazetted point since he had no travel documents.
He was remanded in custody pending trial.
Meanwhile, Botswana police also revealed that Sibanda’s employer was fined P1 500 for hiring an illegal immigrant.
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