MILLICENT HUNGWE
Masvingo – The ZRP in Masvingo Province has confirmed the arrest of two men and the recovery of 28 stolen cattle following a stock theft incident that occurred in Triangle.
In an official statement, ZRP Masvingo Province spokesperson Inspector Kudakwashe Dhewa confirmed the arrest of Elliot Hwende (49) of Village 1 Crown Range, Triangle, and Promise Njanjure (52) of Plot 35 Mungwezi, Chiredzi.
The two were arrested for contravening Section 114 of the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act Chapter 9:23.
The theft occurred on December 30, when Neverson Moyo (62), of Village 1 Basi, Triangle, discovered that ten of his cattle had gone missing.
He reported the matter to the police, and on January 3, police received a tip-off that led them to Onisimo Chibwe’s homestead in Chief Neromwe’s area, Chiredzi, where five cattle were being kept.
Chibwe indicated that the animals had been brought for safekeeping by Neverson Moyo, who was then arrested and implicated Promise Njanjure.
Further investigations led police to Promise Njanjure’s homestead, where 23 cattle were found.
Njanjure failed to account for the stock and was also arrested.
Moyo later positively identified six cattle as his, while another complainant, Joseph Mpofu of Village 6B Monyoroka, Triangle, identified three cattle out of his stolen ten.
In total, 28 cattle were recovered.
Inspector Dhewa commended members of the public for their cooperation and provision of useful information which led to the breakthrough.
He urged communities, especially in the Triangle area, to report all cases of stock theft and suspicious livestock movements to their nearest police station.
“The police remain vigilant in tackling stock theft and encourage farmers to brand and monitor their livestock,” said Inspector Dhewa.
