By SIMBARASHE SITHOLE
Three suspected stock theft thieves yesterday applied for the recusal of Plumtree magistrate Joshua Nembaware after he denied them bail.
Shelton Dube (21),Sibangiswani Ncube (48) and Gilbert Ncube are facing stock theft charges after allegedly stealing a herd of 18 cattle.
The suspects through their lawyer Nqobani Sithole made an application yesterday for the magistrate to recuse himself from dealing with the matter.
Sithole argued that the magistrate denied the trio bail saying they were facing a serious offence and that they stole not one but 18 cattle, therefore if granted bail they are likely to abscond.
Sithole further said the magistrate’s bail ruling was biased because he mentioned that they stole hence he had already convicted them.
Nembaware set May 13 as the date for the ruling of the application.
The state led by Roben Mukura alleged that on January 28 at Lydead farm, the trio hatched a plan to steal the 18 cattle from the grazing paddocks.
Working on a tip off, the police intercepted the trio driving the stolen here cattle leading to thier arrest and the court proceedings they are appealing against.