Online Reporter
Danisa Masuku
Two men accused of stealing and slaughtering a cow from a farm in Fort Rixon, Matabeleland South Province, have alleged that their former employer conspired with the complainant to have them arrested in order to avoid paying their outstanding salaries.
Nathan Masuku (23) and Lungisani Tshabalala (30), both of Lobengula West suburb in Bulawayo, appeared on Wednesday before Bulawayo magistrate Mr Challenge Mahembe facing a charge of stock theft.
In his defence, Masuku told the court: “Tshabalala and I were employed by the same employer as herdsmen. Our relationship with our employer soured after he stopped paying us our salaries. After that, our employer engaged Mr Jabulani Sibasa, and they conspired to accuse us of stealing Mr Sibasa’s cow and slaughtering it.”
Tshabalala concurred with his co-accused.
However, testifying as an accomplice witness, Liberty Mlalazi told the court that he acted in consent with Masuku and Tshabalala to steal and slaughter the cow.
“The cow strayed into our village. After that, Masuku, Tshabalala, and I agreed to slaughter it. We sold it to a buyer who was found by Masuku. The buyer came in a Honda Fit and collected the meat. They gave me US$40,” said Mlalazi.
Mlalazi further testified that the trio allegedly threw the cow skin into a Blair toilet in an attempt to conceal the crime.
Prosecuting, Ms Brenda Ndlovu told the court that in August last year, Masuku and Tshabalala, together with Mlalazi, went to a farm belonging to Mr Jabulani Sibasa, where they allegedly stole a cow valued at US$500.
“Mlalazi recently appeared in court alone, facing a stock theft charge, and pleaded guilty. He is awaiting sentence. The cow they stole and slaughtered was branded GIA2F1. After a few weeks, while the cow was in the company of their herd, Masuku, Mlalazi and Tshabalala connived and slaughtered it. Thereafter, they sold the meat to a buyer who had been found by Masuku,” said Ms Ndlovu.
Ms Ndlovu added that Sibasa reported the matter to the police, leading to Mlalazi handing himself in. Masuku and Tshabalala allegedly went into hiding after investigations were launched, resulting in their subsequent arrest.
The matter was postponed to today for judgment.
