The Sunday News
Sukulwenkosi Dube-Matutu, Gwanda Correspondent
TWO Gwanda men have appeared in court for allegedly stealing nine cattle after they were intercepted by the police and found with a fraudulently gotten permit and police clearance while transporting the animals to an abattoir in Bulilima.
Thembelani Nyathi (26) and Ketumetsi Nkomo (24) of Tshayaligwe area in Guyu were not asked to plead when they appeared briefly before Gwanda magistrate, Mrs Nomagugu Sibanda facing a stock theft charge.
They were remanded out of custody to April 4 after they were granted $100 bail each. Mrs Sibanda granted them bail on condition that they report once a week at Guyu Police Station and that they do not interfere with State witnesses. The State did not oppose bail.
Prosecuting, Miss Glenda Nare said Nyathi and Nkomo were intercepted on 19 February at about 8am at Sundowns Abattoir in Bulilima.
“On 12 February Nyathi and Nkomo stole nine head of branded cattle from Mashira grazing area in West Nicholson and drove them to their home area in Guyu where they tampered with the brand marks and put their own.
“On 19 February they transported the stolen cattle in a truck to Sundowns Abattoir with the intention to sell the animals. Police received a tip-off and intercepted the animals at the abattoir.
“Upon inspecting the cattle the police noticed that the animals had multiple brand marks.
They requested a permit and police clearance from Nyathi and Nkomo who went on to produce documents they had obtained fraudulently leading to their arrest,” she said.
Miss Nare said the value of the stolen cattle is $3 600 and they were all recovered.
When asked whether they had been assaulted by the police upon being arrested the pair said they were not assaulted but were starved for two days.
They said they were arrested on 19 February and were denied access to food till 21 February. Mrs Sibanda advised the prosecutor to look into the allegations.
