Gang steals 46 beasts in Masvingo

Munyaradzi Musiiwa, Sunday News Reporter
POLICE have arrested five notorious cattle rustlers who were working in cahoots with a veterinary officer to steal cattle in Bikita in Masvingo Province and selling them to unsuspecting butcheries.

National Police spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi confirmed the arrest of Cleotos Mambeu (38), Tarisai Blessing Tinarwo (25), Resoro William (25), Masunda Douglas (32) and Delight Mujaji (32) who stole 46 beasts in Bikita from January 2020 to April 2021. He said police received information on the suspects’ involvement in cases of stock theft around Chikuku, Chikukutu and Mungezi areas.

“Armed with the information, police arrested the suspects and interrogated them leading to the recovery of 46 cattle from 20 homesteads dotted around the mentioned areas. One of the suspects Felix Ndodyei who is still at large and employed as a Veterinary Officer, facilitated the registration of the stolen stock through illegal procedures,” he said.

Asst Comm Nyathi said two other cattle rustlers were arrested in Chiredzi.

“In a related case, police in Ndali, Chiredzi arrested Tinevimbo Shumba (28) and Tedius Sithole (32) in connection with cases of stock theft which occurred in Ndali on 22 March 2021,” he said.

He said police manning a road block at the 159km peg along Ngundu-Tanganda Road received a tip-off to the effect that the suspects were roaming around Rupangwana Business Centre during curfew time.

Police arrested the suspects and interrogated them before one of them bolted away.

“A search was conducted leading to the recovery of a blood clotted knife. Further interrogations led to the recovery of two sacks of meat, one brown monarch bag with fresh meat, goat hides, legs, offals, heads and location of the complainants,” said Asst Comm Nyathi.