BULAWAYO - A 49-year-old Bulawayo woman has been ordered to complete 235 hours of community service after breaking the legs of her neighbour's six goats with a stone, having found the animals in her field.
Pretty Ndimande of Mazwi Village appeared before Western Commonage magistrate Jeconia Prince Ncube on a charge of malicious damage to property. She pleaded guilty.
Magistrate Ncube initially imposed a 12-month prison sentence. Five months were suspended for five years on condition of good behaviour, and the remaining seven months were suspended on condition that Ndimande completes 235 hours of community service at Sizalendaba Secondary School, beginning Friday.
Prosecutor Tafara Dzimbanhete told the court that Ndimande and the complainant, Jabulani Phiri, 59, are neighbours but are not related. On 15 March 2026 at around 6pm, Ndimande found Phiri's goats grazing on her field.
She then caught each goat in turn and used a large stone to strike the hind legs of all six animals, breaking them. The court valued the total damage at US$340. Phiri reported the incident to police, leading to Ndimande's arrest.
