Moffat Mungazi
Lovemore Kadzura
Post Reporter
SUSTAINED efforts by the police to combat stock theft in Manicaland continue to bear fruits following the busting of two notorious cattle rustling syndicates in Chimanimani and Headlands respectively.
Police in Chimanimani this week reacted quickly and arrested five suspects who were busy skinning a beast that had allegedly been stolen from a local farmer.
Acting Manicaland provincial police spokesperson, Assistant Inspector Wiseman Chinyoka confirmed the arrest of Wilbert Tunge (21), Panashe Mawunga (23), Paul Mudzonda (40), Obern Muriro (44) and Dorcas Mukameso (62) – all of Maraisi Village, Chief Mutambara in connection with the theft of a beast belonging to Mr Eliah Masango (83).
Assistant Inspector Chinyoka said Mawunga operates a butchery at Wengezi Business Centre, and had paid Tunge US$200 for the ox. The US$200 was recovered by the police at the scene.
“On February 24, 2025 at around 6am, Mr Masango set off his herd of cattle for grazing in the neighbouring mountains. At around 10am, Mr Leonard Mareanadzo (23) was looking for his cattle in the neighbourhood when he came across a spoor of a beast. He followed the spoor from the mountain into the village when he encountered the accused persons slaughtering the complainant’s ox.
“He had a conversation with Tunge, who is his neighbour. Tunge told him that the Mr Masango had sold the ox. Mareanadzo became suspicious, and called Mr Gibson Masango, the complainant’s son, who said the ox must have been stolen as it had not been sold to anyone. Gibson alerted the police, who swiftly reacted to the tip-off. The ambushed the scene where the ox was being slaughtered and rounded off the suspects. Police found the accused persons loading meat into a Mitsubishi L200 pick up (Registration Number AFN0516) and arrested them.
“The police recovered the whole carcass of the ox, including the hide, hooves and head. An axe and knife used to slaughter the ox were also recovered.
“All the accused persons are being charged with stock theft. Total value stolen is US$800, and all was recovered. The carcass was handed over to the complainant as it was still fresh,” said Assistant Inspector Chinyoka.
In another case, police in Headlands swiftly reacted to distress calls and launched a manhunt for three suspected cattle rustlers, and brought them to book within hours.
They also recovered the two live oxen.
Headlands has been topping nationally for cases of stock theft, leading to ZRP hosting the 2024 National Anti-Stock Theft campaign in the area.
Assistant Inspector Chinyoka confirmed the arrest of Tafadzwa Marima (38), Jaison Gwemende (52) and Paul Govero (17) – all of Zambara in Headlands for allegedly stealing oxen belonging to Mr Petros Meke and Mr Petros Sarauchireva.
“On February 24, 2025 at around 2am, the accused persons went to Mr Meke’s cattle pen, and stole one black unbranded ox with horns facing upwards, and one unbranded brown ox with horns facing the front belonging to Mr Sarauchireva. They yoked the two oxen, and drove them towards Headlands.
“On the same date around 3am, Mr Meke went to the kraal intending to yoke the cattle to plough his field and discovered that the oxen were missing. Mr Meke alerted Mr Sarauchireva and other villagers, and began tracking the spoor.
“Mr Meke reported the matter to Headlands Police Station through the phone, and a team was deployed on patrol along Harare-Mutare Highway and other roads. Around 7.30am, the accused persons were intercepted at Saratiel Primary School by the patrolling team. Marima and Govero were subsequently arrested, while Gwemende fled.
“The two oxen were recovered. Gwemende was later tracked and arrested at his girlfriend’s house in Vengere in Rusape. The complainants were called to ZRP Headlands and positively identified the two oxen as theirs. The value stolen is US$1 800 and all was recovered,” said Assistant Inspector Chinyoka.
He said the police is working round the clock to fight stock theft, and called on members of the public to supply information on any suspicious cattle movements. He applauded members of the public and complainants for reporting cases of stock theft early.
“As the police, we are working with members of the public in the fight against stock theft cases. Anyone with information pertaining to cattle rustling activities and other cases warranting police involvement should urgently report to their nearest police station,” he said.
Online Reporter