adminAbel Zhakata Senior Reporter
NYANGA villagers have lost more than 200 cattle to a well-crafted cattle rustling racket which reportedly involves some bad apples in the police force that facilitated the clearance of the stolen beasts.
Most of the stolen beasts are reported to have found their way to Surrey Abattoir in Marondera where they were sold by beneficiaries of the racket.
Investigations by The Manica Post revealed that the most affected villagers were from Bende and Tombo areas, with some of them losing the whole herd.
Affected families have accused some rogue police officers of facilitating the theft of their livestock.
Manicaland provincial police spokesperson, Inspector Enock Chishiri, confirmed rampant stock theft in the affected areas, saying 42 cattle were recovered recently.
He urged those with complaints against the police to lodge their grievances with the respective district commanders as well as take up their cases with the provincial police commanders.
“What is happening is that villagers from Bende are leaving their cattle to stray into the forests at the mercy of cattle-rustlers who are striking at night. The stolen cattle are driven to Mayo where they are exchanged with other villagers for bigger beasts for sale to Surrey Abattoir.
“Recently, an affected farmer who had lost 27 cattle made a follow-up and found one of his stolen cattle in the possession of one Joshua Murehwa who was about to sell it at the abattoir. The beast was recovered and investigations led to the recovery of 42 cattle that were stolen from Nyanga,” he said.
Murehwa has since been arrested on stock-theft charges and is assisting police with investigations.
“We don’t have actual figures of how many cattle were stolen. We are urging villagers who lost their livestock to come forward and report the cases so that we get to the bottom of these thefts. We are told there are several complainants and we want them to come forward,” said Insp Chishiri.
Nyanga Ward 15 councillor, Clr Mildred Dhangeni, said the rustlers had wreaked havoc in the area.
“Since the end of last year we are at the mercy of these rustlers. A total of 233 cattle have been stolen so far and in some instances kraals were swept clean. The Gwidza family lost 28, Nyambuya 60, Timburwa 10, Chibika 17 and other villagers lost varying figures.
“We reported our cases, but the police are dragging their feet to investigate the cases. We feel that some of them (cops) are working in cahoots with the rustlers. We have since asked our Member of National Assembly, Cde Supa Mandiwanzira to help us recover the stolen beasts.
“It is no joke to wake up in the morning and see your kraal empty. This is our wealth we are losing and nothing is being done to help us,” she said.
Online Reporter