admin
Nqobile Tshili Chronicle Reporter
POLICE recovered 3,832 stolen cattle between January and October this year as stocktheft cases dropped by 10 percent compared to the same period last year. National coordinator anti-stocktheft unit, Senior Assistant Commissioner Benard Dumbura, told farmers and business people at a meeting in Bulawayo yesterday that this year’s stock theft cases dropped from 9,264 to 8,877 in a period of 10 months.
“The recovery rate improved this year from 38 percent in 2012 to 43 percent as 3, 832 cattle were recovered,” Snr Asst Comm Dumbura said.
He, however, said the livestock industry continues to face challenges and singled out corruption by some abattoirs and butcheries who connive with rustlers.
“Most of the butcheries and abattoirs have been found wanting as corruption has engulfed our abattoirs who nicodemously get involved in illegal activities for selfish gain,” Snr Asst Comm Dumbura said.
He said some abattoirs were slaughtering cattle without any clearance forms making it difficult for police to fight stocktheft.
Snr Asst Comm Dumbura urged farmers and the business community to cooperate with police to weed out rustlers.
He said transporting livestock at night was illegal and warned that police would be out in full force to arrest offenders.
Snr Asst Comm Dumbura also said it was illegal for police officers to sell livestock clearance forms after it emerged that some police officers were making a killing out of the practice.
He urged members of the public to report any police officer who would be found selling the forms.
This was after participants alleged that some officers were demanding bribes of up to $25 to clear livestock.
“I will leave my phone number and if any police officer asks for payment inform us so that we can take action,” Snr Asst Comm Dumbura.
Online Reporter