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Crime Reporter
POLICE say at least 8 877 cattle have been stolen countrywide so far this year, warning that they will be in full force to deal with rustlers who seem undeterred by past operations to stop such crime and the hefty prison terms imposed on convicted perpetrators.Total cattle thefts for the whole of last year reached 9 264.
National Co-ordinator for the Anti-Stock Theft Unit, Senior Assistant Commissioner Bernard Dumbura, told a stakeholders meeting on stock theft in Harare last Thursday that police recovered 3 832 of the cattle stolen this year.
“It is against this background that the fight against stock theft should be reinforced by the participation of all stakeholders — business community, traditional leaders and the general citizenry — if the country is to realise its socio-economic growth targets,” Snr Asst Comm Dumbura said.
He said there were still challenges of indiscipline in the livestock and meat industry despite the decrease in stock theft, with butcheries and abattoirs at times breaching the law.
Some unscrupulous abattoir and butchery operators buy rustled cattle as they are cheaper than those legitimately acquired.
“In an effort to counter this menace, police will arrest anyone breaching the law despite his or her status in life. Operations and visits to abattoirs and butcheries will be intensified,” he said.
Snr Asst Comm Dumbura added: “If illegal activities in the meat and livestock industries are not nipped in the bud, ethical business practices will be a pipe dream.
“The public are exposed to health hazards. There is no value addition to the living standards of the people. Businesses are affected as there is unfair competition from those who are not registered and nothing is paid to the fiscus.”
The stakeholders’ meeting deliberated on issues such as livestock clearance, animal movement permits and illegal meat vending.
Online Reporter