adminWalter Mswazie Masvingo Correspondent
A CHIREDZI man who was recently shot on the thigh by two suspected Mozambican cattle rustlers stunned a court when he asked for permission to also shoot his alleged assailants.“May the court grant me permission to also shoot you on the thigh so that you can feel the pain I am going through,” charged Last Chikutu, now on crutches.
He blasted his attackers: “You left me paralysed and now I cannot provide for my family.”
Prosecutors say on November 3 last year, Chikutu, of Papazela area under headman Masivale, was cutting roofing poles in a bushy area accompanied by a fellow villager, Oliver Zvekare, when they spotted the pair, Thomas Lewis Fleberto Ingwani, 35, and Erick Thomas Mazive, 25, driving cattle.
The duo reportedly sneaked into the country from Mozambique through an undesignated point of entry.
Chikutu, say prosecutors, heard sounds of cattle bells similar to his and became suspicious as they were being driven away from the grazing pastures near his homestead.
The two rushed to see who was driving the cattle and upon arrival, they spotted Ingwani and Mazive behind Chikutu’s eight beasts and confronted them.
“The two suspected cattle rustlers produced a firearm and shot Chikutu on the right thigh leaving him seriously injured before they disappeared,” prosecutor Mukai Mukumbe said.
Chikutu fell to the ground and Ingwani shouted: “You think you are the boss, you want to make yourself a boss. I will kill you,” before disappearing.
Zvekare alerted other villagers before rushing Chikutu to Chiredzi Hospital where he was admitted. A formal report was made at Chiredzi Police Station leading to the pair’s arrest.
A loaded AK 47 rifle was recovered from the pair.
The pair pleaded not guilty to stock theft and attempted murder charges when they appeared before Masvingo regional magistrate Judith Zuyu.
They were remanded in custody to tomorrow for further trial.
Online Reporter