Bull thief escapes jail

News
A 46-year-old Mvuma man yesterday escaped a jail term after he slaughtered a bull and compensated the owner with a heifer.

A 46-year-old Mvuma man yesterday escaped a jail term after he slaughtered a bull and compensated the owner with a heifer.

Stephen Chadenga OWN CORRESPONDENT

Felix Tafirei Mujuru was accused of slaughtering Cephas Mukandi’s bull. The beast was valued at $1 500.

Mujuru of Matamba farm, Mvuma, was fined $400 by Gweru magistrate Getrude Mayenyeso and if he fails to pay the fine he would serve three months in prison. An additional 12 months were suspended for five years on condition of good behaviour.

Mujuru’s lawyer, Tonderai Chitere, cited eight circumstances that reduced the sentence from the mandatory to non-custodial, which included the fact that the complainant had been compensated with a heifer and $580 cash by the accused.

Mujuru had argued that the bull, which was similar to his, had strayed into his farm and was slaughtered by mistake. It was the State’s case that on January 9 at number five, Blinkwater, Mvuma, Mujuru unlawfully took a bull belonging to Mukandi and slaughtered it.

Mukandi later on learnt that his neighbour had slaughtered the bull and reported the matter to the police.