Chiredzi man jailed three months for killing neighbour’s donkey

CHIREDZI – A 57-year-old man from Chiredzi in Masvingo has been sentenced to three months in prison for killing his neighbour’s donkey, which had strayed into his fields.

Simon Sithole of Rupawangwana Village under Chief Tshobani was convicted on his own plea of guilty when he appeared before Chiredzi resident magistrate Mr Tinashe Langton Nokera.

He was sentenced to six months in prison of which three months were suspended on condition he restitutes the owner, Mr Samuel Chudu, $100, being the value of the donkey.

In mitigation Sithole promised to compensate the complainant but said he was also expecting Mr Chudu to pay him for the loss of his crops.

It was the State case as presented by Mr Prosper Chipangura that on 20 March, Sithole drove three donkeys belonging to Mr Chudu of Jomboti Village from his field to the complainant’s homestead while holding an axe.

When he arrived at the homestead, Sithole asked Mr Chudu whether the animals belonged to him and he confirmed that they were his. Sithole then drove the donkeys into the kraal, secured it and got inside. He then struck two donkeys with an axe. One died on the spot while the other sustained injuries.

After that Sithole fled to his homestead. Mr Chudu made a report to the police, leading to Sithole’s arrest.