Trap nets 5 cattle thieves

Zim Now Writer

Five cattle rustlers were arraigned before the Chinhoyi Magistrates’ Courts facing stock theft charges.

Tawanda Patrick, 30, Clive Makuvatsine, 18, Rongai Moyo, 23, Wilmore Tirivangani, 24, from Shamrock Compound, Nyabira stole cattle from the complainant who then posed as a buyer before effecting a citizens’ arrest.

The National Prosecuting Authority said that on May 25, 2024, the first accused person approached Silifiyo Simonya and told him that he was selling a beast and wanted him to look for a buyer on his behalf.

“Simonya carried out an investigation and checked if the complainant, Bright Mutume, was not missing any cattle.

“The complainant told him that his brown cow with horns curving to the front was missing.

“Simonya told the complainant that he was assigned by the first accused person to look for a buyer who wanted beef.

“On May 26, 2024, the complainant set up a trap and assigned his manager to pose as a buyer, Simoya to be the middleman and himself as the transporter.

“The three went to see the first accused person and Henry Abraham negotiated the price.

“The first accused person charged them US$300 but Henry Abraham told him that he could afford US$100.

“The first accused told them to go and wait somewhere and he would call them when the deal was done.

“The first accused person phoned Simoya after an hour and directed him to a bush in Derry Farm, Nyabira. Upon arrival, they discovered that the accused person and his accomplices were slaughtering the beast.

“Henry Abraham paid US$150 before the five accused persons loaded the meat into the complainant’s white Toyota Land Cruiser,” the NPA said.

They effected a citizens’ arrest before turning the accused persons over to the police. The value stolen is US$800 and nothing was recovered.

The accused persons have been remanded to tomorrow for bail hearing.