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Timoth Makohliso Midlands Reporter
TWO siblings from Locard in Insiza district charged with stealing 37 beasts from their grandfather told a court yesterday the 93-year-old was trying to fix them for refusing to take care of him.Sizani Sibanda, 38, and her brother Thulani, 37, appeared before Gweru magistrate Sithembiso Ncube and were remanded out of custody to Wednesday next week for sentencing.

They both pleaded not guilty to a charge of stock theft.

Sizani and Thulani told the magistrate they were being victimised for their refusal to look after their grandfather.

The two siblings said they never stole any beast from their grandfather and appealed to the court to acquit them.

On the other hand, the state said the two should be convicted, pointing to witness testimony.

Chipo Matshe, prosecuting, told the court that between 2007 and 2010, Sizani and Thulani stole 37 beasts belonging to their grandfather, Mloyiswa Ncube.

She said the two proceeded to the home of Ncube’s son where they claimed that they had been sent by their grandfather to sell his cattle.

Matshe said the two also claimed they had also been tasked to collect other cattle to Ncube’s homestead.

Instead, prosecutors say the duo stole 37 beasts with an estimated value of $22,200 and sold them.