Online Reporter
Lovemore Kadzura
Mutare Bureau
POLICE in Chipinge have arrested a four-member gang believed to be behind a spate of cattle rustling cases in the area.
Five stolen beasts were recovered at farms in Bikita.
Solomon Mamunga (29) Tinashe Mangweyana (31), Emmanuel Chivige (27) and Thankyou Mukombondera (34) all of Runesu Village, Chief Mukanganwa, have been arrested.
A fifth suspect, Carrison Mwadira, is now on the run.
Acting Manicaland police spokesperson, Assistant Inspector Wiseman Chinyoka, said the suspects were targeting cattle which would be roaming during the night.
They loaded the cattle into their truck before transporting them to Bikita.
“Birchenough Bridge area had been experiencing surging cases of stock theft, particularly of those unattended and grazing.
“On February 28, 2026, around midnight, police officers from Nyanyadzi were on patrol using a vehicle in the Birchenough Bridge area.
“While traveling along Chipinge- Birchenough Bridge road at Maunganidze Village, they observed Mamunga and Mangweyana rounding up cattle at a roadside.
“Upon noticing the police vehicle, they fled from the scene. Police officers pursued them and managed to arrest Mamungawhile Mangweyana fled.”
He added:
“Mamunga admitted that he had been stealing cattle and implicated the other accused persons. “A search was conducted and ropes were recovered which were intended to secure the stolen cattle.
“Around 1am, Mamunga led police officers to Gwama Business Centre where Chivige was found seated in a Mazda Bongo vehicle, waiting for Mamunga and Mangweyana.
“Upon questioning, Chivige admitted that he had been stealing cattle with other accused persons. “He revealed that they would round up stray cattle and transport them to Bikita using his vehicle.
“He said the beasts were taken to a farm owned by Mwadira at Gorge Helen Plot.”
Police visited plots belonging to Mwadira and his father and recovered five heifers, which were allegedly stolen and were being kept there.
“On March 1, 2026, police proceeded to Mwadira’s homestead in Bikita, accompanied by Chivige.
“His wife stated that her husband had left for an unknown destination.
“A search was conducted at the homestead and Chivige pointed to one heifer, which he said he had stolen.
“He also indicated that the other cattle were being kept at Mwadira’s father’s farm.
“Mwadira’s father, Verengai Mwadira, 76, was interviewed and led police officers to his kraal. “Chivige pointed to three heifers, which he said he delivered to Mwadira.
“A total of four heifers, valued at US$2000, were recovered and investigations are underway.”
