BULAWAYO - Four war veterans and Zanu (PF) activists in Matabeleland South were convicted by Gwanda magistrate on Monday for stealing 40 heads of cattle worth US$36000 from a white commercial farmer. Roderick Moyo, Sigamubuhle Nyoni, Peter Mage and Sabelo Nkiwane appeared before magistrate Takudzwa Gwazemba on stock theft charges. According to the state outline, the four Zanu (PF) activists, who caused terror during last years presidential election, last month stole 40 cows from Swallowfork Ranch owned by farmer Peter Probyman, and sold some to Circle Abattoir in Bulawayo.
The police received a tip off from members of the public and intercepted the four men at Chenifukwe turn off in West Nicholson transporting another seven beasts to the abattoir. The group had already dehorned the beasts and branded them. The police also recovered receipts from Circle Abattoir and fake transporting permits which showed that the accused had sold some of the cows to the abattoir.