Gweru businessman, accomplices in court for stock ...

Gweru businessman, accomplices in court for stock theft

Zim Now Writer

A prominent Gweru-based businessman, Tafadzwa Chotoko, 29, of Woodlands Phase 2, Gweru and his accomplices Clayton Pedzisai, 29 of Tinshell, Gweru, and Tapiwa Mano, 19, of Happy Valley appeared before Gweru magistrate Langton Ndokera facing charges of stock theft.

The complainant in this case is Emma Hwanda, who is the owner of the cattle.

Allegations are that on August 23, at around 9pm, Hwanda’s herdsman, Tatenda Mativenga, penned her six cattle in their pen.

On the same night, the accused persons connived and stole the cattle, which they kept at a plot in Ngamo.

The next day, at around 7am the accused slaughtered two of the cattle and loaded the carcasses into Chokoto’s motor vehicle and offloaded the meat at his butchery in Woodlands Phase 2 Shopping Centre.

On August 25, the police received a tip-off about the unknown origin of cattle at Chokoto’s plot. The police teamed up with the complainant and proceeded to the plot, where the cattle were positively identified in the presence of Innocent Ndlovu, who was employed at Chokoto’s plot.

Ndlovu led the police around the plot where they recovered two fresh cow hides cut into two halves which were identified as those of slaughtered beasts. He also confirmed that he saw the three accused persons and Courage Mabheka (who is still at large) slaughtering two beasts.

Chokoto pleaded not guilty but was convicted after a full trial.

He was sentenced to 10 years in prison while his accomplices were each sentenced to nine years in prison.

Ndlovu, 22, was found not guilty and was acquitted at the close of the State case.

The total value of stolen beasts was US$2 000 of which US$1 300 was recovered.