Police urged to adopt shoot-to-kill approach on cattle rustlers

Conrad Mupesa Mashonaland West Bureau

FARMERS in Mashonaland West have pleaded with police to adopt a shoot-to-kill approach when dealing with cattle rustlers amid the rise in cases of livestock theft in the province.
Recently 21 herd of cattle were stolen at a farm in Trelawney, Banket, and nine were slaughtered and deboned within an hour.

The culprits were never found. Last week, another herd of cattle was driven by thieves from a pen in Selous, Chegutu before alert police officers spotted one of the rustlers around 2 am and he escaped.

The farmer made their plea during a provincial Crops, Horticulture, Fisheries and Livestock Summer Plan for 2024/2025 meeting in Chinhoyi that was chaired by Mashonaland West Provincial Affairs and Devolution Minister Marian Chombo.

“We understand the Zimparks rangers have the right to shoot poachers, the same should apply to the police when they are dealing with cattle rustlers,” said Mr Munoda Mararike a farmer from Chegutu.

Another farmer weighed in saying the nine-year jail term is no longer a detergent for the cattle rustlers.

“The jail term should be reviewed to make lengthy or even life imprisonment because the cases are increasing,” said the farmer.

The farmers have also requested police to introduce wardens who only respond to reports on cattle rustling.