Cattle rustler skips court

Dube (40) of house number 13508 Mbizo 1 Extension in Kwekwe at the request of the State.
Dube’s name was called three times but he could not avail himself, save for his lawyer Mr Ignatious Murambasvina who was in attendance, leaving the court with no option but to issue the warrant of arrest.
Charges against Dube, who is out on US$200 bail coupled with stringent bail conditions, arose in 2006 after the alleged suspect and his accomplices still at large, allegedly went on a cattle rustling spree.
They stole more than 40 cows at Batina Ranch Overlaw Farm in the Venice area.
State prosecutor Mr Clever Chikandiwa told the court that between 2006 and 2011 the accused allegedly connived with his accomplices still at large to steal cattle.
They targeted the Venice area where they went on a rampage, stealing more than 40 beasts from cattle pen during the night.
The court heard that they then drove the beasts to secluded places where they slaughtered some and sold the meat.
It is further alleged that they would drive the cattle to KweKwe where they would forge livestock clearance forms before proceeding to KweKwe veterinary department to obtain movement permits.
It is also the State’s case that they would then deliver their loot to Zimbeef abattoir, KweKwe abattoir and sell some to the unsuspecting farmers around KweKwe.