adminSukulwenkosi Dube Plumtree Correspondent
A 65-YEAR-OLD Mangwe woman appeared in court facing charges of stealing a heifer belonging to a 95-year-old woman from a neighbouring village.
The beast belonging to Nomsa Ncube is valued at $400.
Magline Ncube of Mayobodo area is alleged to have stolen the beast in October 2011 and the heifer was only discovered recently by Nomsa Ncube’s son, Belmond Ncube, 54.
She appeared before Plumtree magistrate, Livard Philemon facing stock theft charges.
Magline pleaded not guilty and magistrate Philemon remanded her out of custody to November 20 for continuation of trial.
Belmond Ncube allegedly spotted the heifer penned in Ncube’s kraal.
The heifer went missing while the old woman’s herd was grazing in the fields.
Belmond Ncube said they looked for the beast and could not find it.
The court heard that on July 14 this year, Belmond Ncube spotted the missing brown heifer in Magline’s kraal.
Belmond said he then approached the accused person on behalf of his elderly mother who is the owner of the beast. He said his mother had difficulties in walking because of her advanced age.
Belmond said he engaged Magline who agreed to return the beast.
He said the accused later made a U-turn as she later claimed the beast belonged to her.
Prosecuting, Clemence Shawarira said the brown heifer went missing from Newdam area in October 2011 and was discovered by Belmond Ncube on July 14. He said Belmond identified the beast by its V marks.
Shawarira said Belmond summoned other villagers who helped him to positively identify the beast.
In her defence, Magline denied having stolen the beast after stating that it belonged to her. She said the beast was born in her kraal and it had stayed there ever since.
Online Reporter