Rustlers wreak havoc in Limpopo

Thupeyo Muleya Beitbridge Bureau
Villagers living along the Limpopo River in Beitbridge are concerned with the resurfacing of stock theft syndicates moving their livestock into neighbouring South Africa.

In separate interviews, the villagers said most of the cases were reported at Masisi police station in the neighbouring country, where mostly donkeys were recovered.

The most affected farmers are those in Chituripasi, Chipise and Tshikwalakwala.

Ward councillor for Chituripasi, Mr Enock Ndou, said goats and donkeys were the main target, adding that villagers had resorted to putting kraals very close to their homestead to reduce such incidents.

“We have been receiving reports from villagers on issues relating to stock theft in areas bordering with South Africa,” Clr Ndou said.

“So far, two suspects have been arrested and are still in South Africa, while more than 10 donkeys have been recovered around the Masisi area.”

Clr Ndou expressed concern with the development, adding that more goats were being sold across the border or sometimes in the neighbouring Chiredzi district.

“We are now engaging the local ZRP Anti-stock Theft Unit in a bid to find a lasting solution to the problem,” he said.

Clr Ndou said livestock production was booming with an estimated 200 000 cattle, but villagers were worried that if the rising cases of theft continued, their source of livelihood would be destroyed.

Matabeleland South ZRP provincial spokesperson, Inspector Philisani Ndebele said he was yet to be upraised on the matter.

South Africa’s Limpopo police spokesperson, Brigadier Motlafela Mojapelo expressed ignorance over the incidences.

Cross border stock thefts are rife between Zimbabwe’s borders with Botswana, South Africa and Mozambique.

In 2009, police nabbed 10 rustlers who were notorious for stealing cattle from Beitbridge district for resale in Mozambique.

A 34-year-old police officer stationed at Tuli under Beitbridge district was arrested last year for allegedly conniving with two civilians to steal 27 cattle from South Africa.