adminChipinge Correspondent
TWO Mozambican nationals were on Monday slapped with 14 effective years imprisonment for stealing four beasts last week. Khozani Mtisi (21) and Moses Masiya (36) from Bakonye Village, Mozambique appeared before Chipinge magistrate, Mr Noah Gwatidzo facing stocktheft charges as defined in Section 114 of the Criminal Law (Codification Reform) Act, Chapter 9:23.
They pleaded guilty without wasting the court’s time.
The court heard that on August 26 around 7pm, the two proceeded to Fairgreen Farm grazing area and connived to steal four beasts and drove them away unnoticed.
On the same day, Mtisi and Masiya were spotted by Josiah Mhlanga of Village Q, Musirizwi in Chief Gwenzi’s area driving the beasts.
Mhlanga became suspicious and mobilised other villagers who then tracked the two and managed to arrest them before crossing into Mozambique at a bushy area near Village Q.
The two were then handed over to police officers at Grassflats Police Post where the owner of the beasts positively identified them.
The total value of the stolen beasts is $2 400 and they were recovered.
In sentencing the duo, Mr Gwatidzo said they had committed a serious offence of stealing beasts.
“The courts usually sent those found guilty of stealing beast to jail without any option. The courts are taking punitive actions since cases of stocktheft are rife in the border areas of the country.What is also aggravating your case is that cattle are taken as a measure of wealth by the people hence a jail term is the only option,” he said
Ms Edith Phiri prosecuted.
Online Reporter