IVAYINERUDO MAGARAZANO
CHIREDZI-Police in Chiredzi held an anti stock theft campaign as the law enforcement agent ups its war against domestic animal thieves.
The anti stock campaign was led by ZRP Chiredzi District Commander, Chief Superintendent Robert Chihwereva who stood in for Masvingo Provincial Commander, Commissioner Crispen Charumbira.
The campaign was held in collaboration with the Veterinary Services Department, District Registrar and the traditional leaders in Gwaseche under Chief Chilonga, Chiredzi.
The campaign elaborated strategies to be used by the villagers to thwart rustling syndicates that are operating throughout the nation.
Villagers were urged to create anti-stock theft committees which will be responsible for monitoring community visitors to curb the vice.
The committees will also play a major role in stopping the youth from taking drugs and dangerous substances in their communities.
Villagers were urged to have personal mark branding on their cattle and the community should not hesitate to report any suspicious cattle movement in the community.
Police clearance is to be done at the cattle pen with neighbors as witnesses and all cattle should be transported during the day only.
All cattle being transported in and out of the community should have police clearance.
“Village anti theft committees are very useful in curbing stock thefts which are sometimes orchestrated by youth who want to buy drugs hence they sell the animal at give away prices in order to get money to quench their addictions,” said Chief Superintendent Chihwereva.
Meanwhile in March 2024 Police managed to recover 13 stolen cattle through working together with the Chilonga community who provided essential information leading to the arrest of the perpetrators.
Also in February 2024 police managed to arrest Munashe Taruberekera (48) who was sentenced to 110 years after he stole 38 cattle.
Statistics show that this year Police have managed to reduce cattle thefts cases from 360 recorded in May 2022 to April 2023 to 347 between May 2023 to April 2024.
Chief Chilonga applauded the Police initiative in trying to help the community, but also requested for the establishment of police bases within the reach of the community.
“Cattle is the backbone of many villagers and it is so heart breaking for one to lose them in a blink of an eye, so I suggest that these police bases should be at walkable distances.
“Long distances to the police stations discourage the villagers to report any suspicious activities within a village” said Chief Chilonga.
The community was also encouraged to take note of rape cases, domestic violence and early child marriages cases and report them even to the to the village heads, chiefs and school heads.
