Siphakeme .Mnindwa
Trish Mukwazo, [email protected]
THE judgment on Bhekilizwe Nyathi (43), a suspected cattle rustler who made headlines last year for allegedly being found in possession of stolen cattle carcasses worth US$2 250, is set to be delivered on Monday.
Nyathi was arrested during a joint operation involving police, neighbourhood watch committee members, residents, and the local business community. His two accomplices managed to escape and they are still at large.
The State presented six witnesses, including the key witness, Mr Shepherd Ncube, who played a pivotal role in apprehending Nyathi after the discovery of the stolen carcasses.
Nyathi yesterday appeared before Bulawayo magistrate Ms Sibonginkosi Mnkandla facing charges of stock theft and attempted murder. The accused allegedly attacked Mr Ncube with an axe when questioned about his possession of the carcasses. Nyathi denied the charges, claiming he was on his way to report the matter to the police.
Mr Zenzo Luphahla, the owner of the stolen cattle, testified that he noticed his livestock was missing and later discovered that some of the cattle had been slaughtered. He positively identified the carcasses at the police station through unique markings on the animals.
Mr Ncube recounted his dramatic encounter with Nyathi. He said he spotted Nyathi transporting the carcasses in a blue Mazda pick-up truck and suspected foul play.
“I saw the vehicle and suspected something was wrong. I alerted other residents, and when we tried to stop the accused, he sped off. I clung to the canopy, shouting for help, and he struck me with an axe,” he said.
Despite his injuries, Mr Ncube held on as Nyathi drove at high speed for more than 20km. The chase ended in Nkulumane 12 suburb when the vehicle developed a puncture, leading to Nyathi’s arrest.
The prosecutor, Ms Nomthandazo Mafu, said on August 27, a neighbourhood watch committee member noticed a suspiciously parked vehicle in Nkulumane suburb. Upon investigation, he discovered the vehicle’s load box was filled with cattle carcasses.
Nyathi, accompanied by two other suspects, failed to produce a permit for transporting the carcasses. When confronted, the accomplices attempted to bribe the neighbourhood watch committee member before assaulting him with the back of an axe and fleeing the scene.
The suspects tried to escape by driving off with Nyathi behind the wheel, but members of the public gave chase.
The vehicle eventually stopped in Nkulumane 12 suburb due to a puncture. While his accomplices fled on foot, Nyathi was apprehended and taken to Nkulumane Police Station.
“Members of the public gave chase only for the vehicle to stop in Nkulumane 12 suburb. They got out of the vehicle and fled on foot. Members of the public only managed to apprehend Nyathi and took him to Nkulumane Police Station,” said Ms Mafu.
Further investigations revealed that the cattle were stolen from a farm in Hope Fountain, on the outskirts of Bulawayo. The farmer, Mr Luphahla, positively identified the carcasses as his through distinct markings on the animals.
Nyathi is being represented by Mr Tapiwa Solani of Sengweni Legal Practice.
