Man gets 12 years behind bars for stock theft

A CHITUNGWIZA man, who stole and slaughtered two beasts valued at US$1 500, was thrown behind bars for an effective 12 years after he was convicted of stock theft.
Norest Muranda (22) of Manyame Park in Chitungwiza implicated two others Justice Mupfururi (32) of Mushonga Village in Seke and Rutendo Chirau (26) of Hopley Farm.
Mupfururi and Chirau were acquitted after the State failed to prove a case against them.
Mupfururi is the neighbour to Manhunge and is said to have identified the beasts and drove them to a secluded area for slaughter.
Muranda denied the charges when he appeared before Chitungwiza magistrate Ms Rumbidzai Mugwagwa.
She convicted him after prosecutor Mr Henry Muringani proved a case against him and he was slapped with a 16-year prison term with four years of his sentence sus­pended on condition he restitutes Ngoni Manhunge (60) of Mushonga Village in Seke of US$1 500.
In passing sentence, Ms Mugwagwa noted that cases of stock theft were on the rise and a custodial sentence would justify the case.
Charges against the three arose on October 16 at midnight when they connived to steal two beasts at Manhunge's homestead in Mushonga village.
They went to the village with one Clifford Musahwa-still at large -and on arrival Mup­fururi is said to have entered the pen, untied the beasts and drove them to a secluded area.
Muranda allegedly went on to slaughter the beasts and took the meat to Chirau's place.
The unsuspecting Chirau later transported the meat to Unifresh Trading, a sausage man­ufacturing firm.
She was arrested after delivering 105kg of meat she failed to account for.After that, Chirau implicated Muranda who drew in Mupfururi.