Daring rustlers resale cattle in Mozambique

Cattle rustling is on the rise here, with daring thieves driving stolen beasts for sell, tens of kilometres across the border into neighbouring Mozambique.

The cattle rustlers are also selling stolen livestock in Buhera, and other communities within and around Manicaland province.

The startling revelations was made by headman Chiadzwa during a tombstone unveiling and cleansing ceremony at Chitangazuva reburial site last week.

"There is rampant cattle theft. Some are even taking the stolen cattle as far as Mozambique," Chiadzwa said.

The escalating stock theft comes as unemployment is rampant in the diamond-rich area, with the headman making an impassioned plea to government to prioritise locals in employment and training opportunities.

"Please, hire my people, they will not steal from you," he said, as he responded to accusations that locals involved in illegal mining were a security risk.

He also pleaded for the conversion of an accommodation complex built by Jinan, which has over 20 blocks, into a college.

"Can this infrastructure be turned into a college and be used to equip locals with skills that would be required in mining operations and support services," the traditional leader said.

The Zimbabwe Consolidated Diamond Company (ZCDC) has conceded that there was need to empower locals through employment.

"We agreed with the local leaders that we employ from the community…we will make sure to employ 50 percent of our workforce from Manicaland," said ZCDC chief executive, Morris Mpofu.

The lack of jobs has been an emotive issue among locals who feel sidelined.