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Thupeyo Muleya Beitbridge Bureau
The trial of a 77-year-old stock thief who was last month arrested by police in Beitbridge for slaughtering a stolen cow in the bush near the 40km peg along the Beitbridge-Masvingo road, has been postponed to Tuesday next week.
Fire Sylvester Mabasa, of no fixed abode in Beitbridge is pleading not guilty to a charge of stock theft.
He had, however, initially admitted to committing the offence before the arresting police details.
Beitbridge magistrate, Innocent Bepura, remanded Mabasa in custody for a fast track trial.
Prosecuting, Pernson Chekeya told the court that on October 13 between 12AM and 4AM, Mabasa drove one cow from the grazing area and slaughtered it in the bush 2km east of a lay-by, 40km along the Beitbridge-Masvingo road.
He said Mabasa allegedly cut a piece of meat and a tail and put them in a satchel together with two knives he had used to slaughter the beast.
Chekeya said Mabasa went to the lay-by at the 40km peg along the Beitbridge-Masvingo road where he intended to find transport to Beitbridge town.
The court further heard that while at the lay-by the accused changed his blood-stained clothes and hid them in a bush.
He later stopped a car which was travelling towards Beitbridge and tried to put his bag in the car. During the process he was quizzed by one Joseph Sibanda about the contents of his bag and he fled from the scene.
Chikeya said Mabasa left his bag behind.
He said Sibanda then drove to Tshapfuche area where he alerted other villagers about Mabasa. They then teamed up and went to the lay-by where they found the accused at the same spot with his bag full of meat. They apprehended him.
During interrogations, he admitted to killing a cow in the bush.
He then led the villagers to the point where he had slaughtered the animal.
The cow was valued at $1,000.
The matter was the reported to the police who subsequently took Mabasa into their custody.
Online Reporter