Serial goat thief locks victim's bedroom from outside before stealing

A daring thief from Epworth in Harare who specialised in stealing goats dared lock his victims' bedroom doors from outside and slaughtered goats at the pens as family members screamed and shouted for help.

Luckwell Mubvirwi of Overspill in Epworth  was denying the charges when he appeared before Chivhu Magistrate Archie Wochiwunga who sentenced him to five years in jail for stealing 35 goats on 14 counts in Featherstone.

He was arrested on July 25 2015 after Police received a tip off and was found in possession of the carcasses of the two goats he had stolen on the 14th count.

Wochiunga suspended one year on condition that Mubvirwi pays back the value of the stolen goats which amounts to $1 165.00. The amount should be paid on or before December 20 2015.

Mubvirwi stole the goats from the pens of the complainants during the night. He would slaughter the goats some metres away from where he had stolen them.

On one of the 14 counts, Mubvirwi went to Agnes Mashaka the complainant's home and locked her and her grandson in their respective bedrooms and proceeded to the goat pen.

He then took two goats from the pen and Mashaka's grandson shouted for help but no one came to their rescue.Charles Tsangadzaoma prosecuted.