ZRP in nationwide stock theft crackdown

Comm Nyathi said motorists should expect breathalyser tests and speed traps on major roads as police intensify efforts to curb road traffic accidents during the holiday period. “It is the responsibility of all drivers to ensure that they are there to be counted through those regulations,” he said.

Sikhumbuzo Moyo

Bulawayo Bureau

POLICE have launched a nationwide crackdown on stock theft and the illegal sale of meat to dismantle organised syndicates targeting livestock farmers and unsuspecting consumers.

This comes against the backdrop of rising stock theft cases, which continue to undermine the livestock sector, a key pillar of the economy and rural livelihoods.

Cattle, in particular, are not only a source of income but also hold cultural and social significance in many communities across Zimbabwe.

In a statement, national police spokesperson Commissioner Paul Nyathi said the blitz was focused on enforcing strict compliance with laws governing livestock ownership, movement, slaughter and meat distribution, while safeguarding public health.

Comm Nyathi said recent police statistics pointed to a worrying surge in cases involving cattle and goats, with well-coordinated syndicates targeting farms and rural areas.

“Investigations have revealed that stolen meat is often concealed in buckets and other containers, transported in vehicle boots or hidden compartments and sold in undesignated places such as open spaces, residential areas, informal markets and even outside supermarkets,” he said.

The illicit trade, Comm Nyathi said, is being sustained by both informal vendors and some formal businesses that fail to verify their suppliers.