Shocking 18-year sentence for teen oxen thief

KAROI – An 18-year-old man from Mapuranga village has been sentenced to an effective 18-year prison term for stealing two oxen from separate owners while they were grazing on communal land.

Tawanda Matope was arraigned before Karoi Magistrates Court on two counts of stock theft.

According to State papers, on October 3, 2024 around 0100hours, Matope visited the grazing land, took two oxen belonging to different owners, tied them with a rope and drove them to Rosemary Maredza’s residence where he kept them while seeking potential buyers.

The court heard that Maredza’s suspicions were aroused, prompting her to notify the village head who proceeded to the informant’s residence, accompanied by four men.

The village head questioned the accused person about the oxen but he failed to provide a satisfactory answer.

Allegedly, the village head summoned a neighbourhood watch committee member who successfully retrieved the stolen oxen and the accused was handed over to the police.

The stolen oxen with a combined value of $1 200 ($700 and $500) were completely recovered.