Herd boy steals 40 goats

Zim Now Writer

A 23-year-oldman, Musaope Phiri, was dragged before the Hwange Magistrates’ Courts, facing two counts of trust of property.

Sometime between the period extending from September 2022 to December 2023, the accused person was employed by Raymond Muleya and Rumbidzai Magagade as a herd boy, responsible for herding their goats.

He sold some of the goats on diverse occasions without the knowledge of the complainants. The matter came to light when the complainants discovered that 21 goats belonging to the first complainant and 19 belonging to the second complainant were missing, prompting the complainants to report the matter to the police.

The total value stolen was US$1400.

He was sentenced to 48 months’ imprisonment of which 12 months were suspended.

A further 16 months was suspended on condition that the accused person pays restitution to the complainants by June 3, 2024.

The remaining 20 months were suspended on condition that the accused person performs 700 hours community service.