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Trish Mukwazo
BHEKILIZWE Nyathi (43), a cattle rustler who made headlines last year after being found with stolen cattle carcasses worth US$2 250, was yesterday sentenced to 20 years in prison. Nyathi was arrested during a joint operation involving police, neighbourhood watch members, residents, and the local business community. His two accomplices escaped and remain at large.
The State presented compelling evidence in court, including testimony from six witnesses, notably Shepherd Ncube, who was instrumental in Nyathi’s arrest after the stolen carcasses were discovered.
Bulawayo magistrate Sibonginkosi Mnkandla sentenced Nyathi to eight years for attempted murder and 12 years for stock theft, a total of 20 years. However, he will serve 17 years, as Mnkandla suspended three years on condition that he does not commit a violent crime within the next five years.
In passing the verdict, Mnkandla stressed that the sentence should reassure the public’s faith in the justice system.
“The victim was a law enforcement agent, a member of the neighbourhood watch committee, who instructed the offender to produce a licence for the carcasses in his car. The offender then attacked him with an axe,” she said.
Mnkandla stated that Nyathi’s actions demonstrated a high degree of moral culpability. She highlighted that the victim could have lost his life, adding that Nyathi stole the cattle and slaughtered them brutally in the bush.
“Two of the cows were pregnant, and he slaughtered them regardless. His actions caused significant financial loss to the victim, impacting his ability to pay his children’s school fees. The offence affected not only the victim but also his children, who represent the future.
“There are no special circumstances in this case that would justify leniency. The offender exhibited a high degree of brutality, and the court agrees with the State that he deserves a harsh sentence,” Mnkandla said.
Nyathi attacked Ncube with an axe when questioned about the carcasses. He denied the charges, claiming he was on his way to report the matter to the police.
Zenzo Luphahla, the cattle owner, testified that he noticed his livestock was missing and later discovered some had been slaughtered. He identified the carcasses at the police station through unique markings.
Ncube recounted his encounter with Nyathi. He saw Nyathi transporting the carcasses in a blue Mazda pick-up truck and suspected something was amiss.
“I saw the vehicle and suspected something was wrong. I alerted other residents, and when we tried to stop the accused, he sped off. I clung to the canopy, shouting for help, and he struck me with an axe,” he said.
Despite his injuries, Ncube clung on as Nyathi drove at high speed for over 20km. The chase ended in Nkulumane 12 suburb when the vehicle got a puncture.
Prosecutor Nomthandazo Mafu said that on August 27, a neighbourhood watch member noticed a suspiciously parked vehicle in Nkulumane. Upon investigation, he found the vehicle’s load box filled with cattle carcasses.
Nyathi and his two accomplices failed to produce a permit for transporting the carcasses. When challenged, the accomplices tried to bribe the neighbourhood watch member before assaulting him and fleeing.
They attempted to escape, with Nyathi driving, but members of the public pursued them. The vehicle stopped in Nkulumane 12 due to a puncture. While his accomplices fled, Nyathi was apprehended.
“Members of the public gave chase only for the vehicle to stop in Nkulumane 12 suburb. They got out of the vehicle and fled on foot. Members of the public only managed to apprehend Nyathi and took him to Nkulumane Police Station,” said Mafu.
Further investigations revealed that the cattle were stolen from a farm in Hope Fountain, outside Bulawayo. Luphahla identified the carcasses as his through distinct markings. (@The Chronicle)
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