Heavily armed Beitbridge police out in full force along the Limpopo River

MORE armed police details will soon be deployed to patrol along the Limpopo River, following reports that some armed criminals were now taking the area as a hideout where they are operating from and terrorising residents and farmers here.

This was revealed by the Anti-Stock Theft national co-ordinator Senior Assistant Commissioner Erasmus Makodza during a meeting he held at Lutumba in Beitbridge Rural with traditional leaders, senior officers, businesspeople, senior Government officials and farmers.

During the meeting, it was revealed that cattle rustlers and other criminals were using some areas along the Limpopo River to hide their loot and to even kill and skin the livestock.

"We are going to heavily deploy armed personnel to patrol along the river and deal with armed criminals. Some of the criminals prefer using the river but would be armed and all we are saying is that the long arm of the law will soon catch up with them," Snr Asst Comm Makodza said.

He said they had also gathered information that some police details were being used by criminals to steal cattle among other nefarious activities.

Snr Asst Comm Makodza said they had come up with adequate strategies and measures to deal with these criminals in order to protect the national herd.