News / Regional
'Prophet' nails stock thief
29 Jul 2014 at 06:43hrs | Views
A GWANDA man has been sentenced to 20 years in jail for stealing 11 head of cattle.
Reason Ncube, 33, of Shanyaugwe area, had pleaded not guilty to stock theft charges but was convicted and sentenced by Gwanda magistrate Sheila Nazombe on Friday.
Ncube was arrested after he went to a local prophet to seek prayers to help him conceal the crime but the man whom he thought would help him sold him out to the police.
In her judgment, Nazombe said evidence against Ncube was overwhelming as the state managed to prove its case with state witnesses giving corroborative evidence.
Prosecutor Getrude Zvidzai said on June 27 this year, Ncube stole 11 cattle belonging to Albert Tlou, 54, of Jonsley Resettlement in West Nicholson.
Hours later, some villagers at Zendele area spotted him driving the cattle heading towards Selonga area.
The villagers informed Nelson Dube, a member of the Neighbourhood Watch Committee and a report was made to the police.
Dube spotted Ncube the following day with the 11 cattle and stopped him but he ran away.
Reason Ncube, 33, of Shanyaugwe area, had pleaded not guilty to stock theft charges but was convicted and sentenced by Gwanda magistrate Sheila Nazombe on Friday.
Ncube was arrested after he went to a local prophet to seek prayers to help him conceal the crime but the man whom he thought would help him sold him out to the police.
In her judgment, Nazombe said evidence against Ncube was overwhelming as the state managed to prove its case with state witnesses giving corroborative evidence.
Hours later, some villagers at Zendele area spotted him driving the cattle heading towards Selonga area.
The villagers informed Nelson Dube, a member of the Neighbourhood Watch Committee and a report was made to the police.
Dube spotted Ncube the following day with the 11 cattle and stopped him but he ran away.
Source - chronicle
