CRIME AND COURTS
Four jailed in separate stock theft, drug and rape cases
Courts across Zimbabwe have handed down lengthy prison sentences to four offenders in separate cases involving stock theft, drug possession and the repeated rape of a minor.
The sentences include an effective 18 years’ imprisonment for a 34-year-old Beitbridge man who repeatedly raped his 14-year-old niece, while three other offenders received sentences ranging from 12 months to nine years.
Chivhu man jailed for stock theft
The Chivhu Magistrates’ Court sentenced Farai Nzuwa (24) of Plot 65, Chivake, to an effective nine years in prison for stock theft.
Nzuwa stole a brown, hornless ox belonging to Judith Muhwiridzwa (39) on August 29, 2026, while she was away attending a church camp meeting in Chivhu.
The theft was discovered the following day after neighbours alerted Muhwiridzwa that her ox was missing.
Police investigations subsequently led to Nzuwa’s interception and arrest on August 31 while he was attempting to sell the stolen animal.
Police recovered the ox, which was valued at US$900.
Repeat offender jailed for possessing dagga
Meanwhile, the Chinhoyi Magistrates’ Court sentenced Simbarashe Makwara (26) to an effective 12 months in prison for unlawful possession of dagga.
Police received information on September 2 that Makwara, described in the report as a known drug addict, was allegedly chasing his mother with a knife at their residence.
Two police officers were dispatched to the house the following day and arrested Makwara for disorderly conduct.
A subsequent search of his room led to the discovery of 54 grammes of dagga hidden in a laundry basket.
The court took into account his previous conviction for a related drug-possession offence when sentencing him.
Two jailed for stock theft
The Gwanda Magistrates’ Court sentenced Agreement Bhebhe (34) of Kafusi Dam Village and Kepaletso Nyathi (34) of Kafusi Dip Village to nine years each for stock theft.
The two men were convicted of stealing and slaughtering a cow that had strayed across the Zimbabwe-Botswana border.
The offence occurred on May 31, 2026, at Shashe grazing lands along the border, where the pair targeted a brown cow bearing Botswana identification marks.
Police investigations, following a tip-off, resulted in the recovery of the animal’s hide from Nyathi, with the Botswana brand mark and ear tag still intact.
A portion of the meat was also recovered from Bhebhe.
A member of the Botswana Police Service subsequently confirmed that the identification marks belonged to a Botswana national.
The stolen beast was valued at US$500, although the report states that the animal itself was not recovered.
Beitbridge man gets 18 years for raping niece
The Beitbridge Magistrates’ Court sentenced a 34-year-old man to an effective 18 years in prison after convicting him of repeatedly raping his 14-year-old niece.
The abuse began in March 2024 after the offender allegedly lured the girl under false pretences and subsequently threatened her to prevent her from reporting the abuse.
The court heard that the offender later repeatedly took advantage of the victim, including under the guise of offering her casual employment, while also restricting her movements.
The matter came to light in May 2026 after the victim was dismissed from domestic work when her pregnancy was discovered.
She subsequently sought assistance from a village health worker, who advised her to report the matter to the police.
The intervention led to the offender’s arrest, prosecution and eventual conviction.
The latest sentences underline the courts’ continued imposition of substantial custodial terms in cases involving stock theft, repeat drug offences and sexual abuse, with police investigations playing a key role in bringing the offenders before the courts.
