BY WANDILE TSHUMA
A 30-year-old man from Gokwe has been sentenced to 18 years in prison for stealing cattle worth US$7 300.
Langton Fusi of Fusi Village, Gababi, Chief Njelele, appeared before the Nkayi Magistrates’ Court facing four counts of stock theft.
According to court records, on August 18, Zwelinkosi Nkomazana, a local farmer, released his herd of three cattle to graze along Tshangani River.
Unbeknownst to him, Fusi was lurking nearby, waiting for an opportunity to strike.
Fusi stole one brown bull with a distinctive dip tank brand mark NK06 on the left hind thigh and made off with it unnoticed.
However, his luck ran out the following day when he and his accomplice, Manford Moyo, were spotted driving the stolen bull along with 21 other cattle belonging to other farmers.
Villagers apprehended Fusi, but Moyo managed to escape. The stolen cattle were recovered, and Fusi was arrested and charged with stock theft.
In court, Fusi was found guilty and sentenced to an effective 18 years in prison.