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Sinokubonga Nkala [email protected]
TWO brothers each received 10-year prison sentences for stealing and slaughtering their brother’s ox, during a funeral dispute in Gweru.
On 10 November 2024, around 8:20 pm, during a funeral ceremony, a heated dispute erupted between Rassson Hove, (38), Moses Mudzingwa (31) and the unnamed complainant who is their brother.
The duo believed their brother was responsible for their sibling’s death and accused him of witchcraft.
This sparked a fiery argument, forcing the complainant to flee his home.
In a vengeful act, the brothers broke into the complainant’s kraal and brutally slaughtered one of his oxen.
The brothers then served some of the slaughtered ox’s meat at the funeral, leaving the rest in the complainant’s bedroom.
In a statement on X, the National Prosecuting Authority of Zimbabwe said, “Rasson Hove, (38) and Moses Mudzingwa (31) from Mangunye village were arraigned before the Gweru Magistrates’ Court facing stock theft charges.
“On the 10th of November 2024 at around 2020 hours a dispute arose at a funeral held at the complainant’s residence. The offenders, who are the complainant’s brothers, accused him of bewitching their deceased sibling. This accusation led to a heated argument, prompting the complainant to flee his homestead. Subsequently, the offenders entered the complainant’s kraal and unlawfully slaughtered one of his oxen. A portion of the meat was served at the funeral, while the remainder was left in the complainant’s bedroom. The stolen ox is valued at US$500, and no recovery has been made
The offenders were sentenced to 10 years imprisonment. However, one year of the sentence was suspended on the condition that they pay the complainant US$500 in restitution. Each is to pay US$250.