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Gibson Mhaka
RAPE is a crime of deep disrespect. Similarly, a crime of cruelty against animals is the same disrespect.
Incidents of bestiality are rife among defenceless animals like goats and donkeys. In a sickening incident that occurred just over a year after a 20-year-old man from Godlwayo Village 3 in Esigodini, Matabeleland South province, was arrested for raping a goat to death, another 23-year-old man from Esigodini was apprehended for a similar heinous act.
In the first incident, Mthandazo Ndlovu raped Brighton Nkomo’s goat to death before being caught red-handed with Luckson Mkandla’s goat. Both Nkomo and Mkandla are from Ntabende Village in Esigodini.
In the latest disturbing case, Nkosikhona Moyo, a married herdsman with two children, caused outrage in the community when he raped Munyaradzi Marufu’s goat from Njuka Farm.
Similarly, both rapists were caught after goat owners tracked a trail of footprints from the goat pens to the rapists’ places. Circumstances are that on 6 October 2024, Moyo went to Njuka Farm during the night and got inside the complainant’s pen.
While inside, he grabbed one of the female goats and proceeded to have sex with it. On the following day at around 6am, the complainant found the female goat lying unconscious. Upon examination, he reportedly discovered what appeared to be human semen on its rear, suggesting that it had been subjected to a violent sexual assault.
The complainant and his co-workers then followed a trail of footprints from the goat pen which led them to Moyo’s place.
The matter was reported to the police leading to Moyo’s arrest and his subsequent appearance before Esigodini magistrate Jeconia Prince Ncube. He was charged with bestiality as defined in Section 74 of the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act Chapter 9:23.
He pleaded guilty and was fined US$150 or two months imprisonment in default of payment. The fine is also payable in Zig at the prevailing exchange rate at the time of payment.
The magistrate described Moyo’s conduct as barbaric, citing his blatant disregard for the sanctity of life and his willingness to engage in such a morally reprehensible act.
In determining the sentence, the magistrate took into consideration the fact that the accused was a first offender, married, and had children to support.
He said that he is the primary breadwinner for his family. Therefore, a custodial sentence would have a negative impact on his dependants.
“He pleaded guilty to the offence and did not waste the court’s time. The goat did not die or suffer injury as a result of the offence. In aggravation, no compensation was paid to the owner of the goat. Further, the conduct of the offender was barbaric.
“Be that as it may, imprisonment will be too harsh as the conduct of the offender did not cause the death of the goat. As such a fine will serve the justice of the case,” ruled the magistrate.
Online Reporter