Online Reporter
Freedom Mupanedemo, [email protected]
POLICE have arrested four suspects and recovered seven stolen cattle following the bust of a suspected stock theft syndicate operating in Kwekwe.
The cattle were stolen from three plots at Lyons Farm in Redcliff between April 2023 and January this year.
Midlands provincial police spokesperson, Inspector Emmanuel Mahoko, identified the suspects as Lameck Moyo (38), Themba Bhebhe (50), Petros Bhebhe (25) and Andrew Bhebhe (29). They were arrested on Monday at Mathambekha Village under Chief Sogwala in Lower Gweru.
“We busted a suspected notorious stock theft syndicate, with four suspects arrested and seven out of 24 cattle stolen from three complainants recovered in Kwekwe. The cattle were stolen from three different plots in Lyons Farm, Redcliff, from April 2023 to January 2026,” said Insp Mahoko.
The arrests followed a tip-off, leading police to the village where the suspects were apprehended.
Insp Mahoko said police recovered 12 cattle during the operation. Of these, seven were positively identified by their owners from Lyons Farm, while five are yet to be identified.
One complainant, Mr Irvine Sibanda, who lost eight cattle, positively identified two. Mr Charles Ndebele, who had five cattle stolen, identified three, while Mr Ndakupa Hwai, who lost 11 cattle, identified two from the recovered herd.
The 24 stolen cattle are valued at US$7 400 and the seven positively identified animals are worth US$3 750.
Police have since appealed to members of the public in and around Redcliff who may have fallen victim to stock theft to report to Redcliff Police Station to assist in identifying the remaining cattle.
Stock theft remains a major concern in Midlands Province where farmers continue to suffer losses due to organised syndicates targeting livestock.
