Chronicle Editor
Sukulwenkosi Dube-Matutu, Matabeleland South Bureau Chief
POLICE have recovered 14 cattle from a homestead in one of Gwanda’s cattle rustling hotspots as law enforcement agents continue to intensify efforts to fight stock theft in the district.
In September last year police launched operation “Let’s fight stock thieves/Asilwiseni amasela ezifuyo/ Ngatirwisei mbavha dzezvipfuyo”.
The operation is now in its fourth phase. Under the operation, police are targeting cattle rustling hotspots in Gwanda which include Tshanyaugwe, John Deep, Colleen Bawn, Makhado, West Nicholson among others.
Under the operation police have roped in the Department of Veterinary Services, Health and Meat Inspectors and traditional leaders.
Matabeleland South provincial police spokesperson, Inspector Loveness Mangena said the cattle were recovered at a homestead in John Deep Village following a tip-off from members of the community.
“On 8 October police received a tip-off from members of the community that there were suspected stolen cattle being kept at a homestead in John Deep Village. The police acted on the information and went to the homestead where they found Carlson Dube in charge of the animals. Upon seeing the police, Dube tried to flee but was apprehended,” she said.
“The police noted that the cattle had obliterated brand marks. Dube was arrested by the police and investigations are underway.”
She commended members of the John Deep community for alerting the police. Insp Mangena also urged farmers to ensure that their animals were always attended to so as to curb cases of stocktheft. She also urged farmers to join anti stocktheft committees.
said the structures are important in assisting police come up with strategies to safeguard livestock.
She urged members of the public with missing livestock to visit Guyu Police Station to identify them.
“Last year we launched operation ‘Let’s fight stock thieves/Asilwiseni amasela ezifuyo/ Ngatirwisei mbavha dzezvipfuyo’ which was targeting cattle rustling hotspots such as Tshanyaugwe, John Deep, Colleen Bawn, Makhado and West Nicholson. We are still continuing with this operation as we want to effectively deal with the problem of cattle rustling which is rampant in Gwanda,” she said.
“In order for the operation to be successful we, however, need the buy in of various stakeholders and most importantly of all community members. Let’s report any unscrupulous activities we see and let’s desist from harbouring criminals.”
Farmers continue to lose their livestock to stock thieves. Some of the culprits are suspected to be working in cahoots with officials who assist them in clearing the stolen animals.
In some instances, stock thieves slaughter the beasts in the bushes and carry the meat. Some of this meat is allegedly supplied to butcheries while some of it is sold to the public from people’s houses.
This has threatened the source of livelihood for many families in Matabeleland South Province, which is a cattle breeding area.
The 10-year mandatory sentence for stock theft seems not to be deterrent enough as daring culprits keep breaking the law. -@DubeMatutu
Bongani Ndlovu
Online Reporter