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Masvingo Correspondent
Two notorious rustlers have been jailed for an effective 25 years each for stealing more than 20 beasts in the Nyajena communal lands in Masvingo South.
Kudzai Mukungwa (23) and Richard Mabambe (19) from Nyajena appeared before Masvingo provincial magistrate Mr Langton Ndokera, who jailed them for stock theft.
He initially sentenced them to 63 years in jail each before suspending 38 years sentence on condition of good behaviour
In sentencing the duo, Mr Ndokera said he had considered that they were both first offenders and all the 23 beasts they stole were eventually recovered.
The court heard that between October 14 and 24 last year, the convicts stole a total of 23 beasts from seven farmers in their home area of Nyajena.
The State proved that the two stole cattle from Mapfumo Mharadze, Forbes Marufu, Daniel Pisirayi, Mubaiwa Chinyasa, Davison Ngomani, Cephas Dumbu and Albert Jovo from Village 7 in the Mukosi resettlement area of Nyajena on different days.
They took advantage of the fact that it was summer and most livestock will be unattended during the day.
After stealing the beasts, they phoned a cattle dealer based in Masvingo city intending to sell the cattle to him.
The alert dealer Phineas Mutenheri became suspicious of the source of the beasts and tipped off the police.
A trap was set and the pair was arrested.
Further investigations revealed the beasts had been stolen in Nyajena and they were returned to their owners.
Mr Edmond Mapope appeared for the State.
Online Reporter