Rédaction Africa Links 24 with Zimeye
Published on 2024-02-24 02:00:00
In a recent case that serves as a deterrent to potential livestock thieves, a 36-year-old man from Grandville Farm in Zvishavane was sentenced to 54 years in jail for stealing 49 cattle in the Lalapanzi area near Gweru. The sentencing was handed down by Magistrate Constance Mutandwa after the accused, Tinodakufa Hove, was found guilty on six counts of stock theft.
The series of events leading to Hove’s conviction began in July 2021 when Benedict Mugari, an 81-year-old resident of Nantes Village in Lalapanzi, released his herd of cattle to graze. On the same day, Hove allegedly stole seven cattle belonging to Mugari and transported them to his farm, Grandville Farm. This was just the beginning of a string of thefts that Hove would later be charged with.
On March 29, 2022, Hove reportedly stole seven cattle from Methias Toperesu’s MZ4 Tokwe farm in Lalapanzi. A few months later, on June 24, 2022, he was accused of stealing another seven cattle from Nantes village in Gwanza, Lalapanzi. These animals were also driven to his farm, adding to the growing list of charges against him.
The pattern of stock theft continued with additional offenses on March 27, 2023, when Hove allegedly stole 12 cattle from Farm 4 Gwanza in Lalapanzi, owned by Eliot Matumbu. In the same month, he reportedly took nine cattle from Nomsa Munyimi’s open grazing lands. Then, on July 25, 2023, Hove was accused of unlawfully taking seven cattle from Mushava Brenda’s kraal and transporting them from Gwanza West Village to the Gamwa area.
The magnitude of Hove’s crimes and the impact they had on the livelihoods of the victims led to a severe sentencing by the magistrate. The 54-year jail term serves as a strong message to anyone considering engaging in livestock theft, highlighting the serious consequences that come with such actions.
The court’s decision also underscored the importance of protecting the livelihoods of farmers and the agricultural sector as a whole. Livestock theft not only results in financial losses for the farmers but also disrupts the food supply chain and undermines the stability of rural communities.
The case of Tinodakufa Hove serves as a cautionary tale, emphasizing the need for stringent measures to combat livestock theft and protect the interests of farmers. It also highlights the role of the justice system in holding perpetrators accountable for their actions and delivering justice to the victims of such crimes.
Read the original article on The Zimbabwe Eye
