In a bizarre case that could result in a reduction in stock theft in Bulawayo, a New Mazwi village couple in the business of stealing livestock in Bulawayo, reportedly developed “goat horns” shortly after stealing goats from a nearby resettlement area of Robert Sinyoka.
The two in a short space of time subsequently died from the said “protruding goat horns” that developed soon after their nefarious act.
Dixon Phiri and his wife Nomvelo Tshuma, are reported to have stolen an undeclared large number goats from the mentioned resettlement, and slaughtered the beasts for sale at the Mazwi village. The unsuspecting meat-lovers were treated from stolen relish but were not affected.
According to the Mazwi village head, Jesta Banda, the two were very secretive about where they were acquiring their meat for business. “We were alerted by villagers from the nearby resettlement, that someone or some people were stealing goats from the area. I then informed my fellow villagers to be careful if they were involved in the disappearance of the said goats. No one confessed to the stock theft and the owner warned that he was going to trap the perpetrators, with his traditional juju, that will expose the thieves,” she said.
The village head Ms Banda further told ZimEye.com that the exposure did not take a week, before the husband developed horns on his forehead, causing villagers to realise who the goats’ thief was. As if it was not enough, the wife also developed goat horns on her private parts, forcing her to confess to the village head.
“We attempted dialogue with the goats’ owner, but unfortunately he was not available from the time he threatened with action. He was said to be in Checheche, contacting rituals to deal with the disappearance of his goats,” said the village head.
This reporter managed to reach to the wife of the goats’ owner, who refused to be identified, and she said, “we warned them before my husband went to do the rituals but they did not come forward to tell us, thereby forcing us to do the plan B.”

The New Mazwi alleged goat thieves died last week after horns grew to about 16 cm, while the wife died three days later after complications with horns that had reportedly grown in between her womanhood.
The deceased couple left behind two minors and a teenager brother who is now looking after his siblings, with the help of fellow villagers. The Mazwi villagers are a combination of former Killany squatter camp dwellers, many who have a history of robing NUST students and Khumalo suburb dwellers.