adminHarare Bureau
At least 133 farmers have been arrested countrywide by the Police National Anti-Stock Theft Unit for leaving their cattle to graze along highways.Police also arrested two cattle rustlers in Matabeleland South province.
The farmers were arrested under an operation code-named “No to Livestock on the Roads/Kwete Mombe Mumigwagwa”.
The operation, which ends tomorrow began on August 4.
National Co-ordinator for Anti-Stock Theft, Senior Assistant Commissioner Bernard Dumbura said errant livestock owners were fined.
“Since the start of the operation, we deployed 119 officers and conducted 210 campaigns countrywide,” he said.
Snr Asst Comm Dumbura said during the campaigns they managed to reach 8,606 farmers and 3,195 motorists.
“A total of 133 farmers were arrested and fined during the operation,” he said. “We are concerned since a lot of lives have been lost on the roads as a result of accidents involving cars and livestock.”
Snr Asst Comm Dumbura said those who were going to be arrested for the second time will appear in court.
Of the 133, Matabeleland South had the highest number with 67, followed by Mashonaland West with 38, Manicaland 10, Mashonaland Central eight, Mashonaland East seven, while Midlands had two farmers arrested.
Matabeleland North had one while no arrests were made in Masvingo, Bulawayo and Harare.
Snr Asst Comm Dumbura said Matabeleland South had the highest number since it had several highways that connect to cities and towns.
These roads are the Bulawayo-Beitbridge, Bulawayo-Gweru and the Beitbridge-Masvingo.
The police launched the blitz against livestock owners whose beasts venture on highways to curb accidents caused by stray animals.
Early this year, Transport and Infrastructure Development Minister Dr Obert Mpofu announced that government would fence-off major highways to avoid livestock straying onto to them.
According to the Traffic Safety Council of Zimbabwe, motorists driving through rural areas often travel at high speed, and usually come across hazards such as stray livestock.
derick.khumalo