A 25-year-old Chipinge man has been sentenced to an effective nine years in prison after he slaughtered his neighbour's missing cow and sold some of the meat.
Trust Chimbazaza was convicted of stock theft by the Chipinge Magistrates' Court.
The court heard that on July 25, 2026, Tinei Machume, 46, released his five cattle to graze at Mahachi Village.
When the herd returned later that day, one brown-and-white cow with upward-pointing horns was missing.
Machume retraced the grazing route and discovered the animal had been slaughtered. Only the head, hide and rib cage remained at the scene.
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He identified the remains as his cow and reported the matter to the police.
Investigations led officers to Chimbazaza's homestead, where they recovered 2.5kg of beef and liver.
During questioning, Chimbazaza allegedly led detectives to another man who admitted buying about 30kg of beef from him.
Police recovered meat valued at US$195. The slaughtered cow was valued at US$400, leaving the complainant with an outstanding loss of US$205.
Chimbazaza was sentenced to 10 years' imprisonment, with one year suspended on condition that he pays US$205 in restitution to the complainant.
He will serve an effective nine-year prison term.
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