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Crime Reporter
THREE farmers in Centenary lost 60 goats worth US$2 000 while they were grazing at a farm in the area in a suspected theft case carried out by a syndicate.
Police said they were still looking for the suspects involved in the case.
Cases of stock theft have of late been on the increase and it is suspected that the goats are being sold in towns and cities where there are ready markets.
Most of them are sold to unscrupulous butchery and restaurant operators who slaughter them for resale while others are sold to individuals for meat.
National police spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi said investigations are in progress.
“On November 14, 2021, ZRP Centenary recorded three reports of stock-theft involving 60 missing goats at Clear Morning Farm.
“The missing goats, which are valued at US$2 000 belong to three complainants and were stolen from the grazing lands. Investigations are underway,” he said.
Last week, police relaunched and intensified an operation code-named, ‘Nyama Yabvepi’ aimed at curbing stock theft activities countrywide. Police managed to arrest about 318 suspects for stock theft and other stock theft related offences by last Friday.
The developments came after at least 23 cattle and 64 goats were stolen from different farmers in Hwange, Mhangura and Bindura as stock theft cases increased countrywide.
Some of the stolen cattle have been recovered.
In Jambezi, Hwange District police were investigating a stock theft case which occurred at Sidinda grazing area. An unidentified cattle rustler stole 15 cattle at the grazing area and went away unnoticed.
Farmers in Mhangura and Bindura also lost eight cattle and 64 goats in separate incidents to thieves.
The eight cattle were later recovered when they were about to be disposed off to a buyer by a suspect identified as, Norman, in Doma, Mhangura.
The suspect drove the cattle from an unknown place and penned them intending to sell them to a buyer, Kenneth Kaparangwe.
The matter came to light when Kenneth Kaparangwe sought police clearance.
The suspect fled from the scene and is still at large. Farmers whose cattle is urged to visit ZRP Mhangura.
Police in Bindura also arrested Takemore Bonde (34) for stock theft which occurred at Avlion Farm.
The suspect and his two other accomplices who are still at large stole 67 goats from five farmers.
All stolen goats were recovered.
On September 25, 2021, police in Mvurwi recorded reports of 46 stolen goats at Earling Farm, Mvurwi.
In July, at least nine farmers in Bindura lost 51 goats to thieves, who were travelling in a white commuter omnibus. Police said the thieves went to Chipadze Farm where they stole the goats before loading them in the omnibus and disappeared.
No arrests and recoveries have been made and police are appealing for information that may lead to the arrest of the suspects.
Online Reporter