HARARE: Two provincial officials from Zimbabwe President Robert Mugabe’s party have appeared in court charged with stealing 10 cattle meant for the veteran leader’s birthday celebrations, their lawyer said Tuesday.

Prosecutors allege the pair were entrusted with 10 cattle donated by a local farmer for Mugabe’s birthday bash in Mutare city. “They unlawfully and with the intention to steal, converted the cattle to their own use thereby committing the crime of stock theft,” read part of the prosecution case.