Online Reporter
Gibson Mhaka
FIGTREE villagers are reeling in shock after a 33-year-old man was arrested for allegedly raping three goats, two of which died during the attacks.
Brighton Mkandla of Cliffton Farm, is said to have repeatedly sneaked into goat pens at night to commit the vile acts. The horror spree came to light after three villagers – Cecilia Sibanda (85), Mayibongwe Ndlovu (28), and Elmon Ndlovu (65) – found their goats either dead or injured, with clear signs of abuse.
The twisted saga began on 15 August when Elmon was drawn to his goat pen by frantic bleating around 10PM. Armed with a torch, he was stunned to find Mkandla half-naked, trousers around his knees, violating one of his goats.
“When I shouted his name, he jumped up and bolted into the bush like a wild animal,” said Elmon.
Determined to catch him, Elmon and his neighbor, Trynos Nyathi, tracked footprints from the scene straight to Mkandla’s homestead.
Two weeks later, on 31 August, the elderly Sibanda caught him in her pen committing the same act. He fled again, but the next morning she found one of her goats dead, with bruises and semen on its back.
As villagers tracked the culprit, they met Mayibongwe, who checked his own kraal and made a gruesome discovery — one of his goats was also dead, showing signs of strangulation and abuse.
The furious villagers followed the trail back to Mkandla’s home, confronted him, and dragged him to the police after he confessed to the attacks.
Mkandla has since appeared before Plumtree magistrate Joshua Nembaware charged with three counts of bestiality. He pleaded not guilty and was remanded in custody to 12 September for trial.
Sheila Nyathi represented the State.
The community remains stunned, with some villagers calling for Mkandla to be banished from the area, fearing he might target other livestock — or worse.
