adminMarvelous Moyo Gwanda Correspondent
TWO police officers based in Gwanda have been arrested for allegedly stealing 10 head of cattle from Filabusi and transporting them to Bulawayo after falsifying their clearance.The duo, Brodrick Moyo, 27, and Pirate Mazarire, 30, appeared before Gwanda magistrate Sheila Nazombe yesterday charged with stocktheft.
They both denied the charges and were remanded in custody to today for bail application through their lawyer McAllister Ncube.
Prosecutor Mncedisi Dube alleged Moyo and Mazarire connived with two other accused persons who are still at large to commit the crime.
“On a date unknown and at a place unknown but during the month of July this year, the accused persons connived with Victor Mwene and Tichafa Shumba who are still at large to steal cattle from Filabusi area,” Dube said.
He said Moyo and two accused persons, approached accused Mazarire who was manning Selonga Base and connived with him.
“He (Mazarire) issued a forged stock clearance form, which was later used to transport the stolen cattle from Filabusi to Bulawayo. The accused persons stole 10 head of cattle, which were recovered in Bulawayo,” Dube said.
After committing the crime the duo allegedly attempted to bribe the investigating officer in the matter to conceal the truth.
“Accused one (Moyo) also received $400 from Shumba through his Eco-Cash account, which he intended to use to bribe the investigating officer. An amount of $300 meant for this purpose was recovered from Moyo and is held as evidence,” Dube added.
“There are cellphone messages in both accused one and two’s cellphones, which have a conversation between the two arranging how to block the investigation of the case.”
Online Reporter