By Patience Gondo
TWO Beitbridge men have appeared in court facing allegations of stocktheft and slaughter of two cattle belonging to 56-year-old Madala Dube of Malala in Beitbridge.
Tatenda Sungai and Kudakwashe Mabhanda both from Beitbridge, pleaded not guilty and were remanded in custody by Beitbridge Magistrate Brenda Kachepa.
Dube discovered his cattle missing when it was time to pen them and after several days of searching, he found two beast heads with his marks and ear tags.
The discovery was near Naude Quarry where he also found abandoned hooves of his cattle.
Dube then informed the police and a search party to find the culprits was launched, the court heard.
The estimated value of the stolen cows is $1,000.
Police acting on a tip-off, the police visited Sungai and Mabhanda residence in Beitbridge Town on July 26 at dawn and caught them in the act offloading from an unregistered Honda Fit car some blood stained buckets of meat at New Medium Stands (SDP).
The court heard that on the day prior to their arrest, the suspects were allegedly seen selling meat in Old Medium Density.
During a search of their homes, police discovered dishes and buckets filled with meat, including fat, breasts, and kidneys, in each of the accused’s residences.
Additionally, police recovered three wire snares, two kitchen knives, and an axe found under Sungai’s bed.
The suspects were unable to provide satisfactory explanations for the stock, raising suspicions that led to their arrest.
Throughout their initial court appearance, both accused maintained innocence.
“My wife operates a braai business at the Beitbridge Engen Garage, and the meat found by the police belongs to her. It was purchased from a local seller, Simon Togara ‘Chiwa,’ at Chiromo Buccur in Lutumba,” said Sungai.
Kachepa ruled that the two have to be put to their defence.
The trial continues on October 6, this year.