Online Reporter
Gibson Mhaka
IN some parts of Matabeleland South, a bizarre and disturbing trend is giving a sickening new meaning to the term “Greatest of All Time” (GOAT).
While most men in the province seek soulmates for companionship, a growing number of misguided “Romeos” have apparently decided that human charm cannot compete with the allure of the livestock kraal.
For these men, the local pen has become a primary dating hotspot.
On several occasions, these “village Casanovas” have been caught red-handed, proving that in some corners of the province, the competition for affection is no longer between men and women, but between women and goats.
The law, however, is far from amused by these amorous advances toward livestock.
In the latest incident, 19-year-old Mxolisi Ncube of Moneni Village in Mangwe District was allegedly caught “romping” with his uncle’s goat. On 8 December 2025, at around 10PM, Dumoluhle Mkandla discovered his nephew, Mxolisi, inside a goat pen having sex with one of his female goats.
Dumoluhle had heard his goat bleating continuously.
He investigated with a torch and found Mxolisi in the act.
When Dumoluhle called out his name, Mxolisi allegedly jumped out of the pen and fled into the nearby bush.
Dumoluhle, who had positively identified his nephew, reported the matter to the police, leading to his arrest.
Following his arrest on 9 December 2025, Mxolisi was held at a local police station. Around 4:30PM, he requested water.
When police officers opened the holding cell to provide it, Mxolisi shoved an officer, escaped from the facility, and fled to an unknown destination.
However, his luck ran out on 18 December 2025, when police re-arrested him.
Mxolisi has since appeared before Magistrate Nembaware, facing two counts of bestiality and escaping from lawful custody.
During his initial appearance, Mxolisi pleaded not guilty to both charges and was remanded in custody pending his trial.
In September last year, Brighton Mkandla (33) of Cliffton Farm in Figtree left villagers reeling in shock after he was arrested for violating three goats, two of which died during the attacks.
Mkandla reportedly sneaked into goat pens under the cover of darkness 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 livestock either dead or severely injured.
Presiding over the case, Plumtree magistrate Joshua Nembaware showed no leniency.
Condemning Mkandla’s actions as a “shocking disregard for animal welfare,” he sentenced the accused to an effective four-month prison term.
The Figtree case is just one in a sickening string of similar incidents across the province.
In Esigodini, the community is still grappling with the depravity of 20-year-old Mthandazo Ndlovu of Godlwayo Village 3, who was arrested after he raped a goat belonging to Brighton Nkomo to death.
He was subsequently caught red-handed attempting the same act on another goat belonging to Luckson Mkandla.
In another equally disturbing case from the same area, Nkosikhona Moyo — a married herdsman and father of two — caused public outrage after he was caught violating a goat belonging to Munyaradzi Marufu of Njuka Farm.
Plumtree has seen its fair share of these “beastly” affairs as well.
In 2024, Njabulo Moyo (33) of Togotsvebu Village, who was employed as a domestic worker, was hauled before the courts for sexually abusing two goats, one of which died. Magistrate Nembaware ordered him to pay a fine of US$200.
