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Leeroy Dile
A GANG of cattle rustlers is wreaking havoc in Mhondoro Ngezi.
The daring rustlers are stealing and slaughtering the beasts, sometimes just a few kilometres away from where they would have stolen cattle.
It is believed that the bulk of the meat is being taken to Harare for sale at butcheries dotted around the capital.
On Tuesday, villagers in Munatswa Village lost a number of their beasts.
“These guys take the cattle and move towards Manyewe Shops and slaughter them behind the shops.
“This time, someone saw them in the early hours of Tuesday morning, at around 4am.
“When he tried to talk to them, they ran away leaving everything behind as they had not finished packing some of the meat and slaughtering the other beast,” said Arthur Munatswa, who lost a number of his cows.
In the past two months, more than four similar cases have been reported to the police.
“Not so long ago in Gasanyama, in Makombe Village, the rustlers took away four beasts and slaughtered them just a few kilometres away.
“They left a note that the remains were safe and people could still consume them.
“The thieves also left four knives on the ground and many believe this is a ritual so they do not get caught.
“All the cases were reported to the police, who are making follow-ups and a suspect has been taken for questioning,” said another victim.
A third victim, identified only as George, said:
“We saw footsteps and followed them until we got to the crime scene where a lot of people had already gathered after seeing the carcass left behind by the thieves.
“I suspected they used electric shockers to shock the beasts as there were no axes and there were about 11 knives, plastics and sacks.
“Some of the meat was already packed.”
Mathew Masinge
Online Reporter