Herdman steals six cattle

Sukulwenkosi Dube Plumtree Correspondent
A 23-YEAR-OLD herdman from Mangwe stole six head of cattle from a neighbour’s farm and tried to sell the beasts to a Plumtree businessman. Cornellious Mpofu was intercepted by police officers while he was driving his loot valued at $3 400 to his customer’s farm around midnight.

Mpofu, however, denied the allegations when he appeared before Plumtree magistrate, Mr Livard Philemon facing stocktheft charges.

He revealed that he intended to steal cattle from his employer’s farm and sell them to Mkhulunyelwa Nkomo but failed to round up the beasts after they fled from him.

In his defence Mpofu who was being represented by his lawyer, Mr Prince Butshe of Mcijo, Dube and Partners said after failing to secure the cattle he proceeded to Nkomo’s farm with the intention to defraud him.

“I contacted Nkomo and told him that I wanted to steal some beasts from my employer and sell them to him because I heard that he normally buys stolen cattle.

“After failing to round up the targeted cattle I proceeded to our meeting point hoping that Nkomo would pay me a deposit and then dodge him as I was desperate for money,” said Mpofu.

He said his employer was not paying him his salary. He said when he met with Nkomo police appeared and they threatened him and demanded to see the stolen cattle which he intended to sell.

Mpofu said he saw some stray cattle in the area and brought them forward to the police and pretended to have stolen them.
Prosecuting, Mr Clemence Shawarira said Mpofu stole six cattle belonging to Sibusiso Ndlovu (62) at Manda Farm and drove them for about 11 kilometres to Hygrange Farm.

“On 2 February around 8pm Mpofu rounded up six cattle belonging to Ndlovu and contacted Nkomo and made an arrangement to meet at Hygrange Farm. Nkomo alerted the police that Mpofu was selling stolen cattle and they laid an ambush.

“At around 12 midnight Mpofu arrived with the stolen cattle and Nkomo persuaded him to enter into his vehicle and he handed him over to the police,” said Mr Shawarira.

The complainant said she was alerted by her brother who was looking after her cattle who told her that six of her animals were missing.

She said she proceeded to the police station where she positively identified her six beasts.
Nkomo who also testified in court said Mpofu arrived at their set meeting point with the six cattle which he had agreed to buy.
He said he alerted the police who apprehended him.

Mr Philemon remanded Mpofu in custody to 11 March for judgment.