adminWhinsley Masara recently in Hwange
POLICE have intensified patrols along the country’s borders to control stock theft as it is most rife in those areas. National anti-stock theft coordinator, Senior Assistant Commissioner Erasmus Makodza, said this when he addressed nearly 1,000 people at an anti-stock theft awareness campaign in Jambezi, Hwange.
He urged people to put new personal brands or ear tags on their livestock for easy identification.
“Villagers are crying foul over cattle rustlers who’re coming from our neighbouring countries. In Matabeleland North, Tsholotsho, it’s mostly cattle straying to Botswana and they fail to claim them back because they’re not labelled. In Binga and Hwange, villagers have lost numbers of livestock to armed cattle rustlers coming mostly from Zambia.
“I would like to announce that we’ve since activated our police bases along the borders for effective monitoring to ensure that no armed foreigners come into Zimbabwe to rob you of your wealth,” he said.
Snr Asst Comm Makodza said he had taken it upon himself to hold campaigns in all provinces, Matabeleland North being his sixth because of the escalating figures of stock theft.
Chief Shana urged people to immediately brand their cattle.
“We’re always up on our heels because of the foreign cattle rustlers who are now coming in armed as they sweep off people’s livestock. We’re glad police have made inroads which makes it difficult to steal. We support this branding issue and will encourage villagers to brand their livestock as soon as they can,” said Chief Shana.
About 32 village heads brought together nearly 1,000 people to come and learn the importance of branding and ear tagging their livestock at the anti-stock campaign meeting.
Bongani Ndlovu
Online Reporter