adminSukulwenkosi Dube Plumtree Correspondent
A man from Mangwe District who duped villagers into surrendering five beasts to him after promising to give them heifers, will spend the next seven years in prison after he was convicted of fraud. Bongani Moyo, 31, of Linda area who pleaded not guilty was however convicted by Plumtree magistrate Livard Philemon due to overwhelming evidence.
Moyo went to four different villagers in Mangwe District and duped them into surrendering their beasts after promising to give them heifers.
He got five beasts valued at $2,750 but failed to deliver the promised heifers.
Philemon sentenced Moyo to 13 years imprisonment but suspended three years on condition that he does not within the next five years commit a similar offence.
Three more years were suspended on condition that Moyo restitutes the villagers.
Prosecuting, Elisha Mazorodze said on April 12 last year, Moyo approached Sithenjiwe Nkomo, 32, of Madabe area in Mangwe and told her that he had a heifer which he wanted to exchange for any type of beast.
“The complainant agreed and handed over her beast worth $600 to Moyo who then promised to deliver the heifer the following morning. Moyo thereafter disappeared,’’ said Mazorodze.
He said Moyo also approached Valeliya Sibanda, 29, and Gabriel Mguni, 45, who are also from Madabe area and took one beast from each of them and also promised them heifers.
He said in May, Moyo approached Sethi Khoza, 39, who is also from the same area and took two more cattle and promised her two heifers but again did not deliver.
The villagers reported the matter to the police, leading to Moyo’s arrest.
Moyo denied the allegations but was convicted due to overwhelming evidence.
Online Reporter