Three men arrested for stock theft

Yoliswa Dube-Moyo, Matabeleland South Bureau Chief

Police in Gwanda have arrested three suspects in connection with a case of stock theft which happened at Bronson Mine in Colleen Bawn.

The suspects, Message Muponde (25), Ephias Mano (28) and Siza Nkosi (18) were intercepted at a roadblock site along the Bulawayo-Beitbridge highway.

National police spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi confirmed the incident.

“The trio was intercepted at a roadblock site along the Bulawayo-Beitbridge highway in a Toyota Sienta vehicle AFO 9205 after police officers noticed two goat carcasses which were stashed in a bucket. Investigations by police led to the identification of a complainant who had not reported the matter to the police,” said Asst. Comm Nyathi.

Increased stock theft is threatening the source of livelihood of many farmers in Matabeleland South province which is a livestock farming area.

The nine-year mandatory sentence for stock theft does not seem to be deterrent enough as daring culprits keep breaking the law.

Chief Mathe from Gwanda said the problem of stock theft cuts across the entire province and there was need for stepped up police operations.

“Stock theft is rampant although there are places which have been identified as hotspots. There is a need for police to work with communities to rid the area of stock thieves,” he said. – @Yolisswa