Hwange Man Steals Goat, Sells Meat Back to Owner

Shylock Zulu (28), from Themba Ndlovu Homestead in Mashala Village, was sentenced to six months in prison for stealing a goat and pulling off an audacious con that ultimately backfired.
According to the National Prosecuting Authority, the incident unfolded on January 8, 2025, in Mashala grazing area. Zulu brazenly stole a black-and-white male goat belonging to his neighbor, Thabani Sibanda. After slaughtering the goat, he carried the carcass to Sibanda’s homestead, claiming it was bush buck meat and sold it for USD $15.
Sibanda, however, became suspicious when he noticed the “bush buck” bore a striking resemblance to his missing goat.
Upon investigation, the truth unraveled, leading to Zulu’s arrest and conviction for stock theft. He was sentenced to six months in prison, but the court suspended the entire sentence on two conditions: Zulu must not commit a similar offense within five years, and he must restitute Sibanda ZW$1057.
The bizarre twist has left villagers shaking their heads, with one local quipping, “Only Shylock could pull a stunt like this. Selling stolen meat back to the owner? That’s a first!”