adminThupeyo Muleya Beitbridge Bureau
A 77-year-old, suspected stock thief, has been arrested by police in Beitbridge, for stealing and slaughtering a cow in a bush, near the 40km peg along the Beitbridge-Masvingo road.
Fire Sylvester Mabasa, of no fixed abode, was yesterday dragged before Beitbridge magistrate, Innocent Bepura, charged with one count of stock theft. He was remanded in custody to today, for a fast track trial.
Prosecuting, Pernson Chekeya, told the court that on October 13, between midnight and 4AM, Mabasa drove one cow from the grazing area and slaughtered it in the bush, 2km east from a lay bye, 40km along the Beitbridge Masvingo road.
He then, cut off a piece of meat and the tail which he then put in a satchel, together with two knives he had used to slaughter the beast.
Mabasa allegedly, went to the lay bye, at the 40km peg along the Beitbridge Masvingo road, where he intended to find transport to Beitbridge town. The court further heard that, he also changed his blood stained clothes and hid them near the lay bye.
Mabasa stopped a car which was travelling towards Beitbridge and tried to put his bag in the car. During the process, he was quizzed by the driver, Joseph Sibanda about the contents of his bag, resulting in him running from the scene. He left his bag behind.
Sibanda left the bag and drove to Tshapfuche village where he alerted other villagers about Mabasa. They teamed up and went to the lay-bye where they allegedly found Mabasa at the same spot with his bag containing meat.
He was trying to secure a lift.They apprehended him and during interrogations, he admitted to killing a cow in the bush. He then led them to the place where he had slaughtered the animal. The cow is valued at $1000.
derick.khumalo