In a bid to curb the rising incidents of stock theft, police in Mashonaland Central province have escalated their efforts, warning rustlers that they could face up to a nine-year jail term for each beast stolen.
The move comes in the wake of a recent interception where a Toyota Wish vehicle was found loaded with deboned cattle stolen from farmer Mr. Givemore Munjeri of Plot No 47 in Concession, Mazowe District.
According to Provincial Police Spokesperson Inspector Milton Mundembe, investigations are ongoing after identifying the owner of the vehicle, which managed to evade a police roadblock at Concession crossroads before being discovered abandoned in a nearby bush.
“On 3 March, around 3 am, our district anti-stock theft police were conducting early morning raids at Concession crossroads along the Mazowe-Centenary road when they signaled a grey Toyota vehicle to stop. However, the vehicle ignored the signage and evaded the block, prompting police to alert their colleagues at Mazowe police station,” explained Inspector Mundembe.
The subsequent search of the abandoned vehicle revealed six brown sacks containing fresh meat, including offals, hind and rear legs of deboned cattle, along with four blood-stained knives. The right front wheel of the vehicle had a puncture, suggesting that the suspected rustlers were forced to abandon the vehicle.
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“Checks were later made, and we managed to identify the owner of the stolen big brown ox, Mr. Givemore Munjeri of Plot No 47 in Concession. He was able to identify the cattle through the hooves and the head. Investigations are ongoing, and the owner of the vehicle is being interrogated,” added Inspector Mundembe.
The police have urged anyone with information on butcheries receiving stolen meat or rustlers to come forward, while also issuing a stern warning to criminals involved in stock theft.
“If someone is arrested, they will face severe penalties, up to nine years per each stolen beast. We encourage all rustlers to desist, as our village anti-stock theft committees are vigilant. Here in Mash Central, there is no room for cattle rustlers,” emphasized Inspector Mundembe, highlighting the effectiveness of community engagement initiatives in combating stock theft.
