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Police in the Midlands are investigating a stocktheft syndicate which has been using counterfeit livestock clearance certificates and animal permits to steal cattle which they would sell to unsuspecting members of the public.Investigations by the police have revealed that the syndicate ‘‘cleared’’ a total of 54 cattle suspected to be from Zhombe and other parts of Kwekwe rural, using the fake livestock clearance certificates.
The syndicate has been operating mainly in Kwekwe and Gweru districts. Midlands police spokesperson, Inspector Emmanuel Mahoko confirmed the operations of the stocktheft syndicate.
He said the syndicate was unearthed last Thursday following an incident in which a Lower Gweru man recovered his steer in Gweru, which he had lost to the suspected gang.
“I can confirm that we are investigating a unique stocktheft case involving a syndicate which was operating in Kwekwe and Gweru Districts. The syndicate was using a counterfeit livestock clearance certificates and animal movement permits in stealing cattle and then selling them to unsuspecting villagers.
The offence was discovered following the recovery of one steer in Gweru which had been stolen together with five other beasts from Silobela,” said Insp Mahoko.
The Midlands police spokesperson said the investigations, once concluded, will help the police clear a number of stock thefts which had been going unsolved since January this year.
“Police investigations, with the assistance from farmers, have so far unearthed about 10 counterfeit stock clearance forms used in clearing a total of 54 cattle in Zhombe and other parts of Kwekwe rural during the period. A corresponding number of counterfeit movements’ permits have also been recovered.
The cattle were being sold and moved to unsuspecting buyers. Names of non-existent police officers were endorsed as clearing officers on the fake forms,” he said.
The police in the Midlands are keen to interview Lysias Magodora in connection with the matter. Insp Mahoko said Magodora’s name was used to process all the papers in the movement and clearance of the cattle. He said they suspected they were more people involved in the fake clearance certificates stock theft syndicate.
“The suspects recorded non-existent addresses on the forms and investigations are underway to establish the number of people involved in the scam and the number of cattle stolen. I appeal to members of the public who might have fallen victims to this stocktheft ring to approach their nearest police station.
“Those with information that may aid our investigations can also contact any nearest police station or make use of police suggestion boxes,” said Insp Mahoko.
Online Reporter