Tsholotsho man sentenced after admitting to bestiality charge

Meta Description: A Tsholotsho man has been sentenced after pleading guilty to a bestiality charge involving a goat in a case heard at the Tsholotsho Magistrates' Court.

TSHOLOTSHO – A 36-year-old man from Dugwi Line, Chefunye in Tsholotsho, Matabeleland North Province, has been sentenced after pleading guilty to a charge of bestiality involving a female goat. Leonard Moyo appeared before the Tsholotsho Magistrates' Court, where he admitted to the offence.

Resident magistrate Maxwell Ncube sentenced Moyo to nine months' imprisonment. Three months of the sentence were suspended for five years on condition that he does not commit a similar offence during that period. The remaining six months were suspended on condition that he completes 315 hours of community service, meaning he will avoid serving a custodial sentence if he complies with the court's order.

The court heard that the incident occurred during the early hours of July 2, 2026. According to court proceedings, the complainant, Sithabile Moyo (52), was awakened at around 1 am by unusual noises coming from her goat pen. Concerned that an animal may have been under attack, she went outside to investigate. Upon reaching the enclosure, she allegedly found Leonard Moyo inside the goat pen and immediately alerted her brother-in-law, Edward Moyo.

Edward, accompanied by his son Thobukani Moyo, went to the scene.

The court heard that the trio allegedly found the accused naked inside the goat enclosure with a white female goat. According to evidence presented in court, Moyo's clothing had been removed and placed nearby. His jeans and underwear were allegedly found on top of the goat pen poles, while his shoes and socks were recovered inside the enclosure. Prosecutors told the court that when the witnesses confronted the accused and questioned his actions, he did not respond. The matter was subsequently reported to the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) at Chefunye Police Station, leading to his arrest.

Moyo pleaded guilty when he appeared before the magistrates' court. Following his admission, the court convicted him and imposed the suspended custodial sentence together with community service. Bestiality remains a criminal offence under Zimbabwean law and carries penalties that may include imprisonment, fines or community service, depending on the circumstances of each case and the discretion of the court.

Tsholotsho bestiality case