News / Regional
Women up for stock theft
12 Sep 2015 at 13:27hrs | Views
POLICE in Bulawayo have arrested two women for allegedly stealing nine head of cattle in Tsholotsho. Sibusisiwe Tshabalala, 34, and Thembinkosi Sibanda, 36, were arrested on Monday for allegedly stealing the cattle worth about $6,000. The duo is expected to appear in court in due course. Bulawayo Metropolitan province police spokesperson Inspector Precious Simango said the two were arrested by detectives stationed at Western Commonage Police Station at a house in Old Lobengula suburb.
He said only four of the stolen animals were recovered. "We've arrested two women in connection with stock theft. Four head of cattle were recovered while the other five were slaughtered," she said. Insp Simango said she could not immediately provide further details as the matter was out of her jurisdiction.
"This case has been referred to Tsholotsho for further investigation,'' added Insp Simango. However, police sources, said some of the cattle were sold to an abattoir in Matabeleland South. The sources said they were arrested after one person who had lost his cattle to the two suspects spotted them after they had been sold.
Investigations led to their arrest as the movement of the stolen cattle were traced back to them. Stock theft is a very serious offence in the country, carrying a minimum nine year mandatory sentence but is rarely committed by women.
He said only four of the stolen animals were recovered. "We've arrested two women in connection with stock theft. Four head of cattle were recovered while the other five were slaughtered," she said. Insp Simango said she could not immediately provide further details as the matter was out of her jurisdiction.
"This case has been referred to Tsholotsho for further investigation,'' added Insp Simango. However, police sources, said some of the cattle were sold to an abattoir in Matabeleland South. The sources said they were arrested after one person who had lost his cattle to the two suspects spotted them after they had been sold.
Investigations led to their arrest as the movement of the stolen cattle were traced back to them. Stock theft is a very serious offence in the country, carrying a minimum nine year mandatory sentence but is rarely committed by women.
Source - chronicle
