Midweek reporter
Gutu- Zimbabwe Republic Police has emphasized the need for villagers to create community anti stock theft committees as a measure to curb the rise in stock theft cases.
Masvingo province which falls under geographical natural region 4 and 5 has ideal climatic conditions for cattle rearing hence it is the main target of livestock thieves.
The province witnessed a significant increase in stock theft cases in 2023 according to Police without elaborating.
National anti-stock theft head Assistant Commissioner Frederick Mbengwa, while addressing Gutu traditional leaders during the launch of the anti stock theft campaign at Mupandawana Growth Point last Friday, said its high time villagers establish committees to fight the vice.
“Communities have a mandate to ensure that they safe guard livestock in their respective communities.
“Livestock is an important economic pillar towards the achievement of National Development Strategy 1 on food security and nutrition resultantly the need to protect the national herd can not be over emphasized.
“I am happy that we have traditional leaders with us and I want to encourage you that when you return back to your subjects ensure that each village has created a anti stock theft committee which should have at least 20 people,” he said.
Mbengwa added that the committees will work hand in glove with the police and they will be empowered to monitor suspicious movements within their communities and have a right to question strangers of their business within their localities.
“There was 11 percent rise in cattle rustling from 560 cases to 619 cases, those involving goats decreased from 191 to 167 which is a 14 percent decrease, theft of birds decreased by 24 percent from 120 cases to 97 cases in 2023,” he said.
A total of 299 accused persons for stock theft were arrested during the period under review
“Some of the cases involved the now familiar deboning style of stolen cattle and these cases are rampart in Gutu District area, the police appreciates the help from the public and to this end cases of deboning have decreased immensely,” Asst Comm Mbengwa added.
National police spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi weighed in and said the creation of these committees will act as watchdog of the society and will come in handy in managing domestic violence cases as well assisting police in investigating rape cases.
