MDC Alliance senior member who wanted to contest the Insiza South Parliamentary candidate Honest Mafu is on the run from the police who are pursuing him for three counts of stock theft.

Mafu (34) of Mthabisi Village in Filabusi allegedly fled from the police who had set a trap for him at Mbokodo Abattoir on the outskirts of Bulawayo on August 28.

He left behind his two accomplices who were arrested and are assisting police with investigations.

The three were intercepted as Mafu was driving his Mitsubishi Pajero registration number AAP 0472 behind a truck carrying five cattle.

Earlier in May, Mafu was arrested for allegedly stealing nine head of cattle with the assistance of two accomplices. He was supposed to appear in court on August 25. The allegations led to the MDC Alliance coalition disqualifying him from contesting the Insiza South seat which was eventually lost by Angilacala Ncube to ZANU PF.

Matabeleland South police spokesperson Chief Inspector Philisani Ndebele yesterday said Mafu faces three counts of stock theft, with his latest crime having been committed three weeks ago.

“Police are appealing to anyone with information that may lead to the arrest of a serial stock thief who fled from the scene about a week ago, abandoning his truck with five head of cattle and his two accomplices. If anyone has information on his whereabouts, may they contact their nearest police station or our operations number 0284-20139,” he said.

Sources said villagers tipped-off the police on Mafu’s alleged case of stock theft and they set up a trap at Mbokodo Abattoir where he intended to sell the beasts.

However, upon seeing the police, Mafu reportedly sped off but along the way crashed the vehicle and abandoned it. The vehicle is under police guard at Donnington Police Station.

The sources said Mafu was recently spotted in Johannesburg, South Africa where he reportedly fled to escape prosecution.

“Some of our home boys in neighbouring South Africa have claimed to have seen the serial stock thief. We pray that he is arrested so that he goes to jail where he rightfully belongs,” said the source.

In May, Mafu was not asked to plead when he appeared briefly before Gwanda magistrate, Mr Obedience Matare, facing stock theft charges. He was granted bail.

The allegations against Mafu were that he connived with two other people and stole nine beasts from Riverbrock Farm in Colleen Bawn.

The offence came to light after his two accomplices, who are on the run, were seen loading the cattle onto a truck at Jessie Mine.

The two accused persons, upon seeing that they had been spotted, fled.

A follow up was made with the assistance of the truck driver which led to Mafu’s arrest after a trap.

Mafu was found with a sim card that was used for communication during the commission of the offence.

An EcoCash transaction incriminating Mafu was also found.

State Media