Ronald Mpofu [email protected]
THREE men, including a police officer, have appeared at Plumtree Magistrates’ Court facing stock theft charges after allegedly selling two cattle to an abattoir despite police warnings not to dispose of the animals pending proof of ownership.
Stanley Sibanda (50), Bhekhimpilo Msimanga (50) and Muzowingwa Brighton (35), a police officer stationed at ZRP Figtree Camp and deployed at Hlekwini Base, were arrested on October 13 following a tip-off.
The State alleges that Sibanda and Msimanga, who are cousins, sold the cattle after police had instructed them not to sell or slaughter the animals until they produced proof of ownership.
According to court documents, on October 4 at around 5pm, Vicinity Nkomo (34), of Bulawayo, arrived at ZRP Hlekwini Base and took Officer Muzowingwa to Msimanga’s homestead in Mgadla Village, Figtree, for stock clearance.
The two later proceeded to Sibanda’s homestead, where Muzowingwa cleared a brown bull and a brown cow allegedly belonging to Sibanda, with Msimanga witnessing the process.
At around 8pm, Sibanda and Msimanga allegedly loaded the cattle onto a grey Peugeot truck in an attempt to transport them from the area.
However, they were reportedly confronted by a witness who questioned their ownership of the animals and why they were loading them at night.
The truck owners, Joel Masuku and Vincent Nkomo, subsequently abandoned the process, leaving the cattle at Sibanda’s homestead.
The witness alerted the police, alleging that the two men were not in a position to own cattle.
Police investigations allegedly established that Sibanda and Msimanga had no stock cards or brand mark certificates to prove ownership of the animals.
They were instructed not to sell or slaughter the cattle pending verification of ownership.
However, the State alleges that on October 7 at around 6am, Sibanda and Msimanga drove the two cattle to Mbokodo Abattoir, where they were slaughtered.
The two reportedly claimed they had been given permission to move the animals by Officer Muzowingwa.
Following a tip-off, police visited the abattoir and reviewed CCTV footage, which allegedly showed
Muzowingwa retrieving a copy of ZRP Form 392, used to clear the cattle, together with a veterinary permit.
The footage also reportedly showed the cattle before they were slaughtered.
The State further alleges that Muzowingwa destroyed the cattle clearance book and veterinary permit form.
The trio was arrested on October 13 at around 5pm and detained at ZRP Figtree.
They were remanded in custody by Plumtree magistrate Benjamin Makono and are expected to stand trial on October 22.
Ruth Ncube prosecuted.
