Peter Matika [email protected]
POLICE have arrested 5 780 people countrywide in an operation targeting stock theft and related offences, with Bulawayo accounting for 536 arrests since the programme started on October 1.
Code-named Operation Stock Thief Hot Pursuit, the crackdown has also resulted in the recovery of 117 cattle, 31 goats and 23 donkeys, as police intensify efforts to curb livestock theft and the illegal movement and sale of animals and meat.
National police spokesperson Commissioner Paul Nyathi said that, as at October 14, 86 people had been arrested for stock theft, while 5 694 had been arrested for other stock-related offences.
Harare recorded the highest number of arrests at 1 860, followed by Mashonaland West with 701 and Mashonaland Central with 604.
“Bulawayo recorded 536 arrests, all involving other stock-related offences, while Mashonaland East recorded 481 arrests, including 26 cases of stock theft, the highest number recorded in a single province.
“Manicaland recorded 445 arrests, Masvingo 418, Midlands 391, Matabeleland South 244 and Matabeleland North 100,” said Comm Nyathi.
Police also recovered meat and other products suspected to be linked to stock-related criminal activities.
The recovered items included 1 554 kilogrammes of beef, 102,5kg of chicken, 160kg of fish, 21,5kg of goat meat and 31kg of pork.
Other items included 3kg of trotters, three road runners, 7kg of mince meat and 2kg of sausages.
Comm Nyathi said 5 698 offenders had paid deposit fines, while 56 had been taken to court. A further 25 were detained, and one offender was released into the custody of their parents.
“The Zimbabwe Republic Police informs the public that Operation Stock Thief Hot Pursuit, which commenced on 1 October 2026, is yielding positive results countrywide,” he said.
Comm Nyathi reiterated that the movement of cattle and other livestock at night was prohibited, urging members of the public to report suspicious movements to the police.
“We urge members of the public to report any suspicious livestock movement to the police,” he said.
Suspicious activities can be reported through the National Complaints Desk on 0242 703 631 or via WhatsApp on 0712 800 197.
The operation is part of wider police efforts to protect livestock, disrupt stock theft syndicates and improve the recovery of stolen animals and related products.
Stock theft remains a concern for livestock farmers, with police and communities continuing to pursue suspected theft rings, illegal slaughter and the sale of meat from uninspected sources.
Bulawayo recorded 74 stock theft cases between January and June, a reported 21 percent decrease compared with the same period last year.
Police have also warned of suspected cross-border livestock theft networks involving neighbouring countries, including South Africa and Botswana.
The Zimbabwean law provides for severe penalties for stock theft, including a mandatory nine-year prison term per beast in applicable cases, subject to the law’s provisions on compelling and special circumstances.
