Chipinge – A 47-year-old man from Masimbe Village under Chief Musikavanhu in Chipinge has been sentenced to three years in prison after being caught attempting to steal four Donkeys belonging to a local villager.
The accused, Edmore Mlambo Msipa, appeared before Chipinge Magistrate Nixon Mangoti facing charges of stock theft. After hearing the full details of the case, the magistrate handed him a three-year jail term. However, one year of the sentence was suspended for five years on condition of good behavior, leaving Msipa to serve an effective two-year term behind bars.
According to court records, the case unfolded on August 20 at around 1:00pm, when the complainant, Sister Sigauke, was on her way home from a neighboring village. Along the way, she encountered Msipa leading four donkeys that she immediately recognized as her own.
Startled by the sight, Sigauke confronted Msipa and demanded to know why he was in possession of her livestock. Initially, the accused attempted to lie his way out of the situation, claiming that the animals had strayed into his uncle’s garden and that he was simply taking them to the village headman.
However, Sigauke was not convinced by his explanation. She pressed further, asking a series of probing questions which Msipa failed to answer convincingly. Realizing he had been cornered, the accused panicked and attempted to flee the scene.
The complainant quickly raised alarm, shouting for help from nearby villagers. Her cries were heard, and several people rushed to her aid. The accused was pursued and apprehended within 800 metres as he tried to make his escape with the donkeys.
Man Jailed for Attempted Donkey Theft in Chipinge
Once caught, Msipa confessed that his plan had been to sell the animals at Gumira shopping centre, a local market area where livestock is often traded. The donkeys, collectively valued at around US$400, were recovered and returned to their rightful owner.
In court, the prosecution emphasized the seriousness of stock theft, especially in rural communities where livestock such as cattle, goats, and donkeys are essential for daily survival. Donkeys, in particular, are valued for their ability to carry water, firewood, and agricultural produce, making them indispensable assets for households.
The magistrate noted that Msipa’s actions displayed clear criminal intent, as he had not only unlawfully taken the animals but had also devised a plan to sell them for personal gain. “This was a deliberate attempt to profit from another person’s hard work,” Magistrate Mangoti remarked while passing sentence.
At the same time, the court considered Msipa’s plea for leniency. His defense pointed out that he had cooperated with villagers once apprehended and had not sold or harmed the animals. Nevertheless, the magistrate ruled that a custodial sentence was necessary to send a strong message to would-be offenders.
Msipa was sentenced to three years in prison, with one year suspended for five years on condition of good behavior. This means he will serve an effective two-year jail term. The suspended portion acts as a warning, as any further criminal activity within the five-year period would trigger its enforcement.
The case has reignited concerns about the growing problem of stock theft in rural Zimbabwe. Many villagers have raised alarm over increasing incidents where livestock is stolen and quickly sold off at rural markets or across the border. For communities that depend heavily on their animals for transport and farming, such crimes can plunge families into hardship.
Authorities have urged communities to remain vigilant and to report suspicious activity involving livestock movements. Village heads and community policing committees have also been encouraged to work closely with law enforcement officers to curb such crimes.
Speaking after the sentencing, Sigauke expressed relief that her animals had been recovered unharmed. “Losing my donkeys would have been devastating. They help me every day, carrying water and firewood. I am grateful to the villagers who came to my rescue,” she said.
The ruling also brought comfort to the wider community, many of whom had been shaken by the attempted theft. “This sentence will serve as a deterrent to others who think they can steal and get away with it,” one villager remarked outside the courthouse.
The conviction of Edmore Mlambo Msipa highlights both the persistence of stock theft in rural areas and the determination of communities and courts to combat it. For now, Masimbe village can breathe a sigh of relief knowing that justice has been served and that one less livestock thief is roaming free.
Source- Bulawayo24
