In a peculiar case of stock theft, Shylock Zulu (28) of Themba Ndlovu Homestead in Mashala Village, Hwange, has been convicted and sentenced to six months imprisonment for stealing a goat and selling its meat back to its owner.
According to court details, on January 8, 2025, Zulu unlawfully took a black and white male goat belonging to Thabani Sibanda from a grazing area in Mashala. He slaughtered the goat and then approached Sibanda's homestead to sell the meat, misrepresenting it as bush buck meat. Zulu sold the meat for USD$15, but Sibanda became suspicious, leading to the discovery of the theft.
Zulu was sentenced to six months imprisonment by the court. However, three months of the sentence were suspended on the condition that he does not commit a similar offense within the next five years. The remaining three months were suspended on the condition that Zulu restitutes Sibanda an amount of ZWG$1057.
The National Prosecuting Authority of Zimbabwe, in a statement, reiterated its commitment to fighting crime and corruption under the hashtag #CombatingCrimeAndCorruption.
Advice for Farmers to Prevent Stock Theft
Stock theft is a serious threat to farmers' livelihoods, particularly in rural areas. Here are some measures farmers can take to protect their livestock:
- Regular Monitoring: Frequently check your livestock to ensure all animals are accounted for.
- Secure Grazing Areas: Use fenced or supervised grazing areas to minimize the risk of theft.
- Community Watch: Work with your neighbors to establish a community watch system to report suspicious activities.
- Branding or Tagging: Clearly brand or tag your livestock for easy identification, which can help recover stolen animals.
- Prompt Reporting: Report any suspicious activities or missing livestock immediately to local authorities.
- Secure Sale Channels: Always buy or sell livestock or meat through trusted and verifiable channels to avoid stolen goods.
By implementing these measures, farmers can better safeguard their livestock and ensure the sustainability of their farming operations.