Online Reporter
Danisa Masuku, Zimpapers Writer
A 44-year-old man accused of stealing and slaughtering six cattle from a Johane Masowe Church farm in Umguza, on the outskirts of Bulawayo, has appeared in court.
Ignatius Charamba pleaded not guilty to stock theft when he appeared before Bulawayo provincial magistrate Mr Richard Ramaboea on Thursday.
He was remanded out of custody to September 8 for a ruling on his application for discharge at the close of the State’s case.
Through his lawyer, Mr Prince Butshe of Butshe and Associates, Charamba argued that he operates a business selling game meat — not beef — and that the State had failed to prove otherwise.
Investigating officer Inspector Saxon Dube testified that the stolen and slaughtered animals fell under the bovine category. However, Mr Butshe challenged this, arguing that the term “bovine” includes not only cattle, but also animals such as kudu and buffalo.
Charamba also disputed a key witness statement. Ms Sidumile Moyo had testified that she purchased beef from him, but Charamba claimed police officers had pressured her into making the statement to avoid arrest.
Another State witness, veterinary officer Mr Cuthbert Mahere, admitted that he had never personally seen the meat in question. Instead, he said he had relied on information provided by a colleague, Mr Tshabangu, who is employed by Bulawayo City Council.
During cross-examination, Mr Mahere’s testimony drew laughter from the courtroom after he conceded that his evidence was based solely on trust.
“I have never been to court and I never saw the meat. I just signed the document because I trust Tshabangu and believed what he told me. “Your Worship, I don’t want to lie. I never saw the samples. Had I seen them, we would have taken them for a DNA test to establish whether it was kudu or beef,” he said.
On the basis of this uncorroborated evidence, Mr Butshe applied for Charamba’s discharge at the close of the State’s case.
According to the State, Charamba stole and slaughtered six cattle on June 30 this year. Police later recovered 240kg of meat, fresh skin cuts, and an ox head from Ms Moyo, leading to his arrest.
