Armed robbers preying on cattle ranchers

dollars monthly to armed robbers.
A cattle buyer from the Mazetese resettlement area, Mr Methuseli Bhebhe, last week allegedly lost over US$7 000 and other valuables to five armed men.
The suspects reportedly tracked him from a dip tank where cattle sales had been conducted earlier in the day.
One of the robbers was allegedly clad in police uniform when they ransacked Mr Bhebhe’s house.
They also made off with airtime worth nearly US$200.
Police have since arrested four men – Abiot Ncube (57), Gentlemen Ncube (35), Tafara Matutu (17) and Mike Nyunyuwane (17) – in connection with the robbery.
An alleged co-accomplice, Elmon Moyo, is still at large.
Masvingo provincial acting police spokesman Assistant Inspector Prosper Mugauri last week said they had increa-sed patrols in Mwenezi.
“We are also urging cattle farmers and buyers to attend co-ordinated cattle sales organised by the rural district council since such places are guaranteed of police protection,” said Asst Insp Mugauri.
The robbers are reportedly taking advantage of regular cattle sales that attract hundreds of cash-rich traders.
Mateke Hills, Mazetese, Maranda and Chitanga are the most affected areas.
Mateke Hills farmer Mr John Dube said rustlers were also a major cause for concern.
Zimbabwe Farmers’ Union Masvingo regional manager Mr Jeremiah Chimwanda said they had received reports of rampant cases of armed robbery in the area.
The Government allocated hundreds of indigenous people plots in the area to venture into cattle rearing under the land reform programme.