Gweru police nab three cattle rustlers

Midlands Bureau
Three Zvishavane suspected cattle rustlers were arrested after selling meat to unsuspecting customers in Gweru.
The three are Enock Mpofu (32) of Eastlea Park, Zvishavane; Chrispen Matondo Zikhali (40) of Isaiah Park, Zvishavane and Tanaka Murereka (24) of Council Park, Zvishavane.
Midlands Provincial police spokesperson Inspector Emmanuel Mahoko said Zihkali is an ex-convict who has done jail time for stock theft.
“Chrispen Matondo Zikhali was in prison twice for stock theft in Zvishavane and Gweru,” he said.
Inspector Mahoko said a Toyota Probox was hired from Zvishavane to Gweru by the rustlers on January 21.
The gang drove along the Gweru-Mvuma Road during the night.
“Along the way in Lalapanzi, the driver was surprised to see his passengers chasing after and attempting to capture the cattle they saw near the road,” he said.
“They managed to capture and slaughter one beast near Hwahwa Medium Prison Complex. They transported the meat and delivered it to some houses in Mkoba, Gweru,” he said.
However, Gweru Rural police officers managed to arrest Mpofu in Mandava, Zvishavane. Zikhali and Murereka were arrested at Top Ten shops in Mkoba 5, Gweru.
“A fourth suspect, Bongani Ncube, is still on the run, ” he said.
Inspector Mahoko said the police searched some houses in Mkoba and recovered about 50kgs of meat, the head of a cow, hide and tools used to slaughter it, including an axe, ropes and knives.
The owner of the stolen cow has been identified.