Online Reporter
Fortune Makoni Court Reporter
TWO men from Inyathi in Bubi District have been jailed for 12 months each after being convicted of stealing nine donkeys from three villagers in separate incidents between June and August this year.
Tafadzwa Musawenkosi Ncube (36), of Mahlabathini Village 5, and Musawenkensi Ncube (25), of the same village, were convicted on three counts of stock theft.
They were sentenced to 18 months in prison each by Magistrate Meggie Ruzive, with three months wholly suspended for five years on condition that they do not, during that period, commit any offence involving dishonesty.
A further three months were suspended on condition that each offender restitute Lovemore Ndlovu US$100 or the equivalent in ZiG by October 20, 2026, leaving an effective 12-month prison term for each.
The court heard that between June 25 and July 11, 2026, the two men stole six donkeys belonging to Abraham Nyathi (77), of Maqageni Village 1, under Chief Mtshane Khumalo in Inyathi.
Nyathi had left his donkeys grazing in the Mahamba area when the accused persons allegedly took them and sold them to Tinashe Ndlovu of Dromoland Village, Inyathi.
The accused persons also allegedly authored a letter purporting to prove ownership and sale of the animals.
The matter came to light after three of the donkeys were recovered from Ndlovu, leading to the recovery of all six.
The animals were valued at US$1 200 and were all recovered.
Between June 25 and August 5, 2026, the accused persons allegedly stole two donkeys belonging to Lovemore Ndlovu (43), of Polland Village 2, Inyathi.
Ndlovu had left his four donkeys grazing in the Polland area when the accused persons allegedly took two of them.
One of the stolen donkeys was later recovered from Tinashe Ndlovu, who told police that he had bought it from the accused persons. The two donkeys were valued at US$400, with one valued at US$200 being recovered.
In the third count, the court heard that the accused persons stole one donkey belonging to Francis Bhebhe (25), of 2nd Avenue Co-operative, Inyathi, sometime between June and August 2026.
The donkey was valued at US$200 and was later recovered from Tinashe Ndlovu, who said he had bought it from the accused persons.
The court heard that the accused persons acted unlawfully and intentionally deprived the three complainants of their livestock. Mr Farirai Chakamanga prosecuted.
