MARTIN MAWAYA
GWERU — The Midlands Police have busted two stock theft syndicates in Gweru and Zhombe districts, resulting in the arrest of four suspects and the recovery of 43 stolen cattle.
The suspects, Vhelaphi Mazwi (34), Handsome Sibanda (28), and Nqobile Dube (38) from Woodlands, Gweru, as well as Melusi Ndlovu (21) from Village Mlelwa under Chief Malisa in Zhombe, were arrested on May 8 and 9, 2024, respectively.
Efforts are currently underway to apprehend four additional suspects identified as Chopper, Sama Du, Thembani, and Abraham Ndlovu (24) from Zhombe.
According to Inspector Emmanuel Mahoko, the police spokesperson for the Midlands Province, law enforcement agents in Gweru received a tip-off regarding a group of men seen at Woodlands Phase 1 Shopping Centre selling meat in buckets suspected to have been stolen.
Inspector Mahoko revealed that a white Honda Fit was spotted transporting beef carcasses, loaded in four sacks, from Handsome Sibanda’s residence in Raylands to Paul Makosa’s residence in Mkoba suburb.
He said part of the carcass was seen being delivered to Tatenda Tagwireyi, who owns a butchery at Mkoba 18 business centre.
During the course of the investigation, the authorities recovered pieces of wire commonly used for trapping cattle, as well as some dried meat, added Insp Mahoko.
In Zhombe, Insp Mahoko said that 43 cattle were discovered at Melusi and Abraham Ndlovu’s kraal, with three of them being positively identified by their owners.
He told The Midweek Watch that the police had further established that the remaining 37 cattle were stolen from surrounding areas of Zhombe and Gokwe on different occasions.
They are currently awaiting positive identification by their respective owners.
The police commended members of the public for their assistance in the investigation and detection of these two cattle rustling syndicates.
Mahoko further appealed for continuous support from the public in protecting the national livestock.
