adminTimoth Makohliso Midlands Reporter
A LOWER Gweru farmer accused of stealing 69 head of cattle from local cattle ranchers was found not guilty and acquitted of stocktheft charges. Casper Tobaiwa, of plot number 5 Gwelo East farm under Chief Mkoba in Lower Gweru, was acquitted yesterday by provincial magistrate Phathekile Msipa. Msipa said there was not enough evidence linking Tobaiwa with the alleged crime that could lead to his conviction.
She said police officers who were investigating the case did not gather all the facts.
Tobaiwa’s case has been before the courts since 2010. He was accused of stealing cattle from 12 cattle ranchers in Lower Gweru and incorporating them into his herd at his farm. It was also said Tobaiwa would slaughter the beasts and sell the meat at his butchery. The court was told that Tobaiwa, together with his agent who was not identified, would steal beasts while they were in the grazing areas and take them to his farm first before transferring them to a farm in Shurugwi near Gwenoro Dam.
Bernard Nyoni appeared for the state.
Online Reporter