Online Reporter
Ronald Mpofu, [email protected]
A 58-year-old man who works as a foreman at Matobo CC sales pens in Figtree, Plumtree, has been sentenced to nine years in prison for stock theft.
Misheck Banda will serve nine years at Khami Prison after Plumtree magistrate Mr Busani Sibanda found him guilty of approving the sale of two heifers without the owners’ permission or acknowledgement.
Banda was arrested together with two accomplices, Limukani Nkomo (40) and Palmer Sibanda (23), on stock theft charges. During court proceedings, Nkomo and Sibanda were discharged and turned into State witnesses against Banda.
Court reports reveal that on 25 June 2026, at Matobo CC sales pens, Banda, Nkomo and Sibanda allegedly unlawfully sold a heifer belonging to Mr Trust Ncube of South Africa, who is represented by his nephew, Mr Hlanganani Dube (62).
The charge states that one or all of them took the heifer knowing that Mr Ncube was entitled to it, or realising there was a risk that he was entitled to it, and intending to deprive him of ownership and control.
The court heard that a second heifer also went missing from the complainant’s herd in September 2024.
Banda is alleged to have received two heifers at the sales pens on 24 June at around 7pm. The cattle were brought by Nkomo and Sibanda.
The State alleges that Nkomo and Sibanda told Banda that the cattle belonged to one “P. Sibanda”. However, Banda allegedly went ahead and received the animals without contacting the said owner and without the required Government documents — a ZRP Form 392 stock clearance certificate and a veterinary movement permit showing ownership.
It is alleged that the three later connived and sold the two heifers.
The matter was reported to the police, leading to the arrest of Banda and Nkomo. The complainant later traced one heifer to Mr Agim Nyathi’s farm, where he positively identified and recovered it.
The total value of the stolen heifers is US$1 021,33. The recovered heifer is valued at US$700.
Nkomo and Sibanda, who were represented by Mr Joshua Nembaware of T. Hara and Partners, Bulawayo, were set free when the court withdrew their charges. Banda was sentenced to nine years’ imprisonment on Friday and will serve his sentence at Khami Prison.
