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Freeman Razemba Crime Reporter
OVER 5 000 suspects were arrested in one month for stock-theft and related crimes during a crackdown by police countrywide.
During the operation, police arrested 100 suspects specifically for cattle rustling while 5 000 face stocktheft-related charges.
Police Anti-Stock Theft Unit national co-ordinator Senior Assistant Commissioner Bernard Dumbura said the operation, code-named “Nyama Ya- bvepi Number 12”, was launched on December 18 last year.
“Since the launch of the operation to date, we have recovered 500 cattle that had been stolen and the operation will continue until there is sanity,” he said.
Last week, police statistics indicated that they had recovered 451 cattle, six donkeys, two sheep and two goats while 310 butcheries and 139 food outlets were shut down.
Snr Asst Comm Dumbura said several people were also fined for various offences during the operation.
Last year, more than 10 600 cattle were stolen countrywide while 12 084 suspects were arrested for stocktheft.
According to police figures, 4 616 cases of stocktheft were recorded last year and police managed to recover 4 953 herd of cattle.
Online Reporter