The Sunday Mail
Online Reporter
IT was double whammy for 28-year-old Simbarashe Mwayiyapo, who lost his voice under mysterious circumstances while appearing before a court in Mutawatawa, Mashonaland East, on Tuesday.
He is facing charges of stock theft and malicious damage to property.
Simbarashe was arrested at a stop-and-search roadblock by the police and found with stolen goat meat.
He was hauled before Mutawatawa Magistrate Mr Obedience Matare, who ordered a medical examination by at least two doctors after the suspect suddently became mute during his court appearance.
He was remanded in custody and will be back in court on August 8.
The complainant, Grace Makoto (88), allegedly told the investigating officer that she would use her own means to deal with the thief who stole her goats.
The court heard that on July 30, 2023, at around 5.30 pm, Makoto penned her four goats before retiring to bed.
During the night, Simbarashe reportedly proceeded to Makoto’s goat pen, where he stole two she-goats.
He slaughtered them and packed the meat in a bucket and a sack.
He later went to board a Toyota Probox vehicle that was driven by Blessing Chinyemba.
But on July 31, 2023, at around 5.45 am, police officers were carrying out a stop-and-search roadblock at Marembera turn-off, along the Murewa- Madicheche road, when they stopped the vehicle.
When the driver opened the boot, police discovered a bucket and inquired about its contents.
While Simbarashe claimed it contained peanut butter, police discovered goat meat and a knife instead.
He was further questioned and he later said he got the goats at Mutawatawa, near Kasipiti Business Centre.
On the same day, at around 8.29 pm, Makoto reported the stolen goats to police, and when she was shown the recovered goat carcasses, she positively identified her goats.
