Two jailed for theft, slaughter of stray Botswana cow

Sukulwenkosi Dube-Matutu, [email protected]

TWO men have each been sentenced to nine years in prison for stealing and slaughtering a Botswana-owned cow that had strayed into grazing land in Gwanda.

Agreement Bhebhe (34) and Kepaletso Nyathi (34) pleaded not guilty to stock theft but were convicted on the strength of overwhelming evidence by Gwanda provincial magistrate Ms Brenda Kachepa. They were each sentenced to an effective nine years in prison.

Prosecuting, Gwanda District public prosecutor Mr Shepherd Moyo said Bhebhe and Nyathi, both from the Kafusi area, stole the cow from Shashe grazing land on 31 May after it had strayed into Zimbabwe.

“On May 31, 2026 and at Shashe grazing land, the accused persons connived and slaughtered a cow belonging to the complainant, which had strayed into the area bearing a Botswana brand mark ADZ5 and the ear tag scribed BW19833411,” he said.

“After slaughtering the cow, the accused persons shared the carcass. The matter came to light when the police received a tip-off. Investigations were carried out and led to the recovery of the brown hide bearing Botswana brand mark ADZ5 and the ear tag scribed BW19833411 from accused two and some meat from accused one, leading to the arrest of the accused persons,” Mr Moyo said.

He said the Botswana Police Service was invited and confirmed that the brand mark and ear tag number belonged to the complainant, a Botswana national.

The stolen beast was valued at US$500.

Three accomplices are on the run

Meanwhile, two men have been arrested while three accomplices remain at large after they allegedly stole 300kg of gold ore and other valuables from a mine in Gwanda.

Benjamin Mthombeni (28), of Filabusi, and Thandolwenkosi Ncube (20), of Mberengwa, were not asked to plead when they appeared before Ms Kachepa facing a robbery charge.

They were remanded in custody to 11 September.

Prosecuting, Ms Rest Mguni said Mthombeni, Ncube and the three accomplices who are still at large, attacked two workers at Priscle Mine in Gwanda in the early hours of 1 July.

“On 1 July at around 2am, the two accused persons, who were in the company of three others who are still at large, went to Priscle Mine in Gwanda while armed with knobkerries, axes and catapults.

“They forced open a steel door and ordered the complainants to lie down.

“They demanded valuables from the complainants and took cellphones, clothing and some electrical gadgets. The accused persons went on to assault the complainants several times using knobkerries. They then tied their hands and feet using a rope,” she said.

Ms Mguni said the accused persons then loaded 300kg of gold ore into a white Isuzu vehicle and left.

She said police officers from ZRP Colleen Bawn received a tip-off from members of the public about the whereabouts of the accused persons, leading to their arrest and the recovery of some of the stolen property.