adminMarvelous Moyo Gwanda Correspondent
A GWANDA magistrate has issued a warrant of arrest against a suspect who allegedly stole three cattle belonging to Gwanda Central Member of Parliament Cde Edson Gumbo. Vincent Ndlovu, 34, of Nkashe area under Chief Masuku, who was last month remanded out of custody on $100 bail, failed to show up in court on Tuesday to answer to stock theft charges.
Magistrate Sheila Nazombe then issued a warrant of arrest against Ndlovu for a crime whose minimum mandatory sentence is nine years. Meanwhile, the state has withdrawn charges against Ndlovu’s co-accused, Edmore Mnkandla, 27, also of the same area. For the state, Moses Gondongwe said investigations had established that Mnkandla had nothing to do with the theft.
“Your Worship, the state is withdrawing charges against the accused person. Investigations which were carried out revealed that the accused was hired and paid $20 to drive Vincent Ndlovu’s cattle which had clearance forms. Therefore, there is no evidence linking the accused to this case,” said Gondongwe.
Allegations are that between August 19 and 22 this year, Ndlovu went to Capital Block grazing area and stole three cattle belonging to Cde Gumbo, 54.
On August 22, a herd boy, Kwakhiwe Ndlovu, went to Nkashe area looking for the MP’s beasts and came across Ndlovu driving 11 head of cattle, including the three belonging to the Zanu PF Gwanda Central MP.
The three beasts were already branded with Ndlovu’s brand mark. Kwakhiwe informed the lawmaker that he had spotted Ndlovu with the stolen beasts. A police report was made leading to the arrest of Ndlovu and Mnkandla.
derick.khumalo