Stock theft butcher, accomplices imprisoned for 9 years
By Dumisani Ndlovu
Gweru butcher operator, Tafadzwa Chokoto operating at Woodlands, Gweru and his accomplices, Clayton Pedzisai and Tapiwa Mano who were among the four arrested for stock theft have each been slapped with a 9-year jail sentence for the offence.
The first accused, Chokoto (29) who was sentenced to 10 years in prison will, however, spend 9 years behind bars after 1 year were suspended for five years on condition that he restitute the complainant, Emma Hwanda the sum of US$700 on or before 30 November 2023.
Pedzisai and Mano, were sentenced effective 9 years each while accused four, Innocent Ndlovu was acquitted. The convicted three pleaded not guilty to the charges when they appeared before Gweru magistrate Tinashe Ndokera on Tuesday, facing one count of stock theft. They were represented by Chitere Chidawanyika & Partners.
Presenting the State case, the prosecutor, only identified as Mr Macheza, told the court that eventhough the accused persons pleaded not guilty, claiming they bought the cattle from one Courage Mabheka who is at large, the fact that they had no police and veterinary clearance documents is enough evidence that they committed the crime.
He said sometime 0n 23 August 2023 at around 1800 hrs, the complainant’s herd boy, Tatenda Mativenga penned complainant’s six beasts.
“During the same night Chokoto and Pedzisai in the company of Courage Mabheka who is still at large connived to steal the beasts which they kept at plot 75, Ngamo Gweru,” said the Public Prosecutor.
The state said on the 24th of August at around 7pm the accused slaughtered the two beasts with the following description: One grayish bull with small horns, curving upwards with branded “JL39” with no ear cuts. One brown bull with horns facing sideways, branded “JL39’’ on the left foreleg with no ear cuts.
The court also heard that they then loaded the meat in the accused person one’s vehicle, a white Nissan 2.7 and offloaded the meat at the first accused, Chokoto’s butchery in Woodlands Phase 2 Shopping Centre.
“On Tuesday 25 August 2023, police got a tip off that the 1st accused had beasts at his plot 75 Ngamo whose origins was unknown. Gweru Police teamed up with complainant where they found Chokoto’s herd boy, Ndlovu at the plot,” said Magistrate Ndokera.
The complaint managed to positively identify her cow with brindle, horns curving upward, branded “JL39”.
Chokoto ’s worker, led the police to the recovery of two fresh cow hides, which were cut into two halves and concealed into Chokoto ’s plot and were positively identified as those of the slaughtered beasts.
Ndlovu’s witness statement was used as evidence in the court. One beast which was recovered among Chokoto’s herd was used as exhibit 1 and the recovered cow hide were used as exhibit 2. The total value of stolen beasts was US$2000 of which US$1 300 was recovered.
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