The Sunday News
Sukulwenkosi Dube-Matutu, Gwanda Correspondent
A BEITBRIDGE-based policeman and a teacher at a local school in Gwanda have appeared in court for allegedly stealing cattle from a grazing area which they went on to sell.
Blessing Moyana (33) who is stationed at ZRP Tuli Camp allegedly went on to use his position as a police officer to fraudulently clear the animals purporting that they belonged to his colleague.
Moyana and Marshal Phida (36) who is a teacher at Tshanyaugwe Secondary School pleaded not guilty to stock theft when they appeared before Gwanda magistrate, Mrs Nomagugu Sibanda last week. They will appear in court on 5 February for trial.
Moyana was remanded out of custody on his own cognisance while Phida was remanded out of custody on $300 bail.
Prosecuting Miss Faith Mutukwa said Moyana and Phida stole four beasts belonging to Mr Mthabisi Nkala from Mkhaliphe area in Gwanda and sold them to a villager.
“On 10 November in the middle of the night Moyana and Phida went to Mkhaliphe grazing area in Ward 20 in Gwanda and connived to steal cattle. They stole four beasts comprising a cow, heifer, steer and calf belonging to Mr Mthabisi Nkala and took them to Phida’s homestead. They tampered with the brandmarks and replaced them with Phida’s brandmarks.
“Moyana using position as a police officer fraudulently cleared the beasts purporting that they belonged to his accomplice and they sold the animals to Mr Khulekani Moyo. The matter came to light after the complainant identified one his beasts in a kraal at Muzimuni Village.
“Mr Nkala questioned the owner of the kraal who indicated that he had been given the beast by Mr Khulekani Moyo for safekeeping, who had bought it from the accused persons,” she said.
Miss Mutukwa said Mr Nkala reported the matter to the police who carried out investigations leading to the arrest of the accused persons.
She said two beasts were recovered. The value stolen is beasts was $13 000 and value of those recovered was $9 500.
@DubeMatutu
