
Rutendo Nyeve, Sunday News Reporter
THE vigilance and integrity of two neighbours saved a 76-year-old pensioner, Mr Thomas Sibanda from falling victim to a well-organised six-member stock theft syndicate from Jotsholo, Lupane District.
The two neighbours spotted two stolen cattle belonging to Mr Sibanda at the Cold Storage Company (CSC) abattoir, moments before they were set to be slaughtered.
It later emerged that Mr Sibanda, who was at his Pumula East home at the time, had fallen victim to his herdboy who allegedly colluded with four other individuals – including two Jotsholo-based cattle buyers and two police officers to steal his livestock.
The syndicate, which included herdboy Thulani Masuku (44), cattle buyer Cosmas Sibanda (37) and two unemployed individuals, Mbongeni Ndimande (30) and Philani Ndlovu (35), also involved two police officers, Peter Matavo (35) and Joseph Mapfumo (39).
They planned to steal four cattle – a brown dehorned cow, a brownish-black hornless ox with white patches, a black ox and a dark brown ox – and transport them to Bulawayo.
However, fortunately, Mr Sibanda’s neighbours foiled the scheme before it could fully unfold, showcasing the power of community vigilance and loyalty.
The plan was unravelled when the observant neighbours recognised the stolen livestock, leading to the arrest of the six whose case is now before the Lupane Magistrates Court.
Representing the State, Mr Clive Gumbo told the court that sometime in early December 2024, the six men allegedly connived to steal four beasts from Mr, which were being kept at Masuku’s place of residence.
“On 18 December 2024, Cosmas Sibanda and Mbongeni Ndimande in furtherance of their plan, allegedly proceeded to Masuku’s place of residence in BH4 Village, Dongamuzi and collected the four bovine beasts and drove them approximately 40 kilometres to Philani Ndlovu’s homestead where they were kept.
“On 22 December 2024, Matavo and Mapfumo were in the process of clearing four other bovine beasts belonging to one Nkosikhona Dlomo under ZRP form 392 (police stock clearance certificate])serial number 4257921,” he said.
Mr Gumbo said once they had completed entering the details for Nkosikhona Dlomo, Matavo and Mapfumo allegedly in pursuance of their plan to steal the above mentioned beasts unprocedurally entered the descriptions of the four stolen cattle onto the said stock clearance certificate.
He said when Dlomo asked about the discrepancy, he was told that the cows belonged to some people from Jotsholo.
“Sibanda and Ndimande, allegedly arrived at the scene where cattle were being loaded for transportation to Bulawayo with only two cattle, namely, one brown dehorned cow and brownish black hornless ox with white patches, straight cut left ear and stated that the other two cattle, which were illicitly added onto the Stock Clearance Certificate had run away.
“The duo then allegedly requested to stay behind to look for the cattle. The beasts were transported to the Cold Storage Company (CSC) Bulawayo by one Wonderful Ncube who is a driver,” he said.
The court heard that it was at CSC that the syndicate’s carefully laid plans came undone.
Two of Mr Sibanda’s neighbours, Muchaneta Chamiti and Nkosikhona Dlomo, who happened to be at CSC, immediately recognised the two cattle as belonging to their neighbour.
Dlomo promptly contacted Mr Sibanda, who rushed to CSC and positively identified his livestock.
“Upon offloading the beasts at CSC, Muchaneta Chamiti and Nkosikhona Dlomo who are both the complainant’s neighbours, identified two beasts as belonging to the complainant. Nkosilathi Dlomo then phoned the complainant advising him to immediately proceed to CSC and when the complainant arrived at CSC, he positively identified his beasts,” he said.
The swift action of the neighbours led to the arrest of all six individuals involved in the stock theft syndicate. The stolen cattle, valued at $600, were recovered.
The incident highlights the crucial role community vigilance plays in combating crime and protecting livelihoods in rural areas. Police investigations are ongoing.
The six suspects were remanded to 7 February for trial. The two police officers have since been given bail while the other four are in custody. — @nyeve14