Cattle rustlers jailed for 18 years

Sukulwenkosi Dube-Matutu, Matabeleland South Bureau Chief 

TWO cattle rustlers have each been jailed for 18 years for stealing 15 cattle from Filabusi.

Takudzwa Satumba (32) and Livias Sibanda (28) both from Silalatshani pleaded not guilty to stocktheft but were convicted due to overwhelming evidence by Filabusi magistrate, Mr Abednico Ndebele. 

They were sentenced to 18 years in jail each and two years were suspended on condition that they do not commit a similar offence within the next five years. 

Another year was suspended on condition that they pay US$1 250 to the complainant.

Prosecuting, Mr Shepherd Moyo said Satumba and Sibanda stole 15 cattle from Muleja grazing area in Filabusi sometime in August.

“The accused persons stole 15 cattle from Muleja grazing area in Filabusi sometime in August and drove them to Gwanda where they intended to dispose them. Police conducted investigations and recovered 10 cattle which were kept at Gwanda Show Grounds where they were positively identified by the complainant as his. The accused persons were arrested on 26 October,” he said.

Matabeleland South provincial police spokesperson, Inspector Loveness Mangena urged farmers to set up anti stock theft committees to safeguard their animals against cattle rustlers. 

She also urged farmers to brand their animals and ensure that they do not leave them unattended while grazing.

“Anti-stock theft committees can go a long way in fighting cases of stock theft. Farmers must also ensure that they report cases of stock theft early,” she said.

Last year, in September police launched operation “Let’s fight stock thieves/Asilwieseni 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, Collen Bawn, Makhado, West Nicholson and others.

Under the operation police have roped in the Department of Veterinary Services, Health and Meat Inspectors and traditional leaders.

Farmers continue to lose their livestock to stock thieves and some of the culprits are suspected to be working in cahoots with officials who assist them in clearing the stolen animals. 

In some instances, the stock thieves slaughter the cattle 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