A herd boy (27) who looks after the King’s goats at Mbangweni Royal Residence has been arrested for stealing and selling one of the goats.
Bonkhe Mnisi of Ludzidzini Loludzala under Chief Mandanda, appeared in the Shiselweni Magistrates Court charged with stock theft. Mfuneni Matsebula, who oversees the King’s livestock at Mbangweni Royal Residence told the court that Mnisi is not the only herd boy as there is another.
He said the other herd man told him that he had been looking for it and was asking about it from neighbouring homesteads. He submitted that they followed a lead to a homestead that Mnisi frequented.
ALSO READ: WFP says $13 million-14 million worth of food looted in Sudan
According to Matsebula, the accused used one of the family elders’ cell phones to make calls. Mnisi allegedly made calls to various people, telling them that he was selling a goat and needed the money urgently.
Matsebula said after speaking to the other herd boy, he called the police to report the matter. He said the police did their investigations and Mnisi led the police to a homestead at Mdabula.
Matsebula informed the court that Mnisi was not forced, but voluntarily led the police to where he sold the goat.
According to Matsebula, the goat was white and had a black spot around the head. He said upon arrival at the homestead where Mnisi had led them, they discovered that the goat had already been slaughtered for a traditional ceremony.
ALSO READ: Murdered man was found skinning stolen goat-Suspects
The goat skin was presented in court as evidence and Matsebula confirmed that it belonged to the missing goat.
The matter was postponed to September 14, 2024, for continuation of the trial, after Mnisi had no further questions.
