Suspected goat thief in court

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A GWANDA man appeared at the Beitbridge Magistrates’ Court on charges of stocktheft involving goats worth about $2 400 last Friday.

A GWANDA man appeared at the Beitbridge Magistrates’ Court on charges of stocktheft involving goats worth about $2 400 last Friday.

PRISCAH NDLOVU OWN CORRESPONDENT

Moffat Ncube (52) of Tshibilika Pelele under Chief Marupi appeared before magistrate Gloria Takundwa facing charges of stocktheft.

It is alleged that on February 14, 2013 Ncube went to Machuchuta communal lands in Beitbridge in the company of Boniface Ndlovu, who is at large, and stole 40 goats belonging to Pilaelo Muleya and drove them to his homestead in John Dip in Gwanda.

The matter came to light on February 23 this year when members of the neighbourhood watch committee received information that the accused persons were in possession of suspected stolen goats.

The neighbourhood watch committee members went to Ncube’s homestead where they found his wife, who informed them that he had brought 12 goats.

Three had already been slaughtered and taken to Bulawayo for sale and others had strayed.

She told them that some goats were at Ndlovu’s place.

The three went to Ndlovu’s place and recovered five goats which they took to Nhwali Police Base.

Ncube pleaded not guilty and said neighbourhood watch committee member Sebata Mdlongwa had reported him out of malice and anger.

“I do not admit to the charges levelled against me. I saw Mdlongwa assaulting Ndlovu, who is my nephew, and I told him to stop and he got angry and told me he was going to inform the police that I stole goats with Ndlovu,” Ncube said.

Ncube is expected to appear in court again March 13.