Tendai Muererwa
MUTARE-Cases of stock theft continue to recorded in Manicaland and surrounding areas despite ongoing awareness campaigns aimed at curbing the crime.
This follows a recent anti-stock theft campaign held in Buhera by the Mugodhi Apostolic Church in partnership with the Victim Friendly Unit (VFU), which sought to educate communities on the dangers and consequences of livestock theft.
However, some community members remain ignorant of the law.
In one incident, a 78-year-old woman from Hwedza lost two cattle to thieves.
The complainant, Jessicah Chibvongodze of Farm Zviyambe, reported the theft to ZRP Dorowa on May 2, 2026, around 1800 hours. She indicated that two of her hornless cows—one black and one brown—had been stolen from her kraal during the night.
Police attended the scene and conducted patrols in nearby farms. Acting on a tip-off, officers tracked down one of the accused, Chenjerai Mundiya (39) of Bhunu Village under Chief Nyashanu in Buhera, who was found in possession of one of the stolen cattle.
Upon arrest, Mundiya initially claimed ownership of the animal. Police then contacted the complainant, who sent her domestic worker, George Chikore, to verify the claim. The cow was positively identified as belonging to Chibvongodze.
Further interrogation led to the recovery of the second cow, which was found in the possession of another suspect, Joseph Ngorima (56) of Zviyambe, Hwedza. The animal was also positively identified by the complainant’s representative. Both suspects were arrested, and investigations are ongoing.
In a related development, police in Marange arrested a suspected serial stock thief who had been on the wanted list.
On May 1, 2026, around 1400 hours, detectives from ZRP Marange, who were conducting an operation dubbed “No to Stock Theft”, received information that a suspect, Justice Ndihana (34) of Marange Village under Chief Marange, had boarded a white Honda Fit heading towards Mutare.
The police swiftly intercepted the vehicle at Bambazonge Business Centre and arrested the suspect without incident. Confirming the arrest, Manicaland province acting police spokesperson Assistant Inspector Wiseman Chinyoka said Ndihana is linked to at least three counts of stock theft and urged the public to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activities as efforts to combat stock theft continue.
