News / National
Gwanda businessman, butchery operator nabbed for alleged stock theft
29 Dec 2021 at 05:24hrs | Views
POLICE in Gwanda have arrested a businessman and butchery operator from the Konongwe farming area for alleged stock theft after the recovery of live and slaughtered cattle.
The cattle were recovered at Irimai Muringa's farm on Christmas Eve leading to his arrest.
Villagers pounced on Muringa and his employees following a tip-off from neighbours and recovered meat from five of their eight stolen beasts.
National police spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi confirmed the incident.
"Police have arrested a businessman who operates a butchery, Irimai Muringa from the Konongwe farming area. He was arrested after he and his employees were found in possession of three carcasses and three live beasts which were all identified by their owners," said Asst Comm Nyathi.
He said Muringa is now assisting police with investigations while the four employees are on the run.
Meanwhile, police in Gwanda are looking for Briton Siziba in connection with six stolen cattle that were recovered at Ntombana Siziba's homestead on December 23 and are kept at Gwanda Show Grounds.
Increased stock theft is threatening the source of livelihood of many farmers in Matabeleland South province which is a livestock farming area.
The 10-year mandatory sentence for stock theft does not seem to be deterrent enough as daring culprits keep breaking the law.
Police in September launched an operation targeting stock thieves in Gwanda district resulting in 98 cattle and 12 donkeys being recovered under the first phase of the operation dubbed "let's fight stock thieves/asilwiseni amasela ezifuyo/ ngatirwisei mbavha dzezvipfuyo" which ended on October 2.
Police went on to conduct the second phase of the operation from November 13 to 20 and 51 cattle as well as two donkeys were recovered.
Chief Mathe from Gwanda said the problem of stock theft cuts across the entire province and there was need for stepped up police operations.
"Stock theft is rampant although there are places which have been identified as hotspots. There is a need for police to work with communities to rid the area of stock thieves," he said.
The cattle were recovered at Irimai Muringa's farm on Christmas Eve leading to his arrest.
Villagers pounced on Muringa and his employees following a tip-off from neighbours and recovered meat from five of their eight stolen beasts.
National police spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi confirmed the incident.
"Police have arrested a businessman who operates a butchery, Irimai Muringa from the Konongwe farming area. He was arrested after he and his employees were found in possession of three carcasses and three live beasts which were all identified by their owners," said Asst Comm Nyathi.
He said Muringa is now assisting police with investigations while the four employees are on the run.
Increased stock theft is threatening the source of livelihood of many farmers in Matabeleland South province which is a livestock farming area.
The 10-year mandatory sentence for stock theft does not seem to be deterrent enough as daring culprits keep breaking the law.
Police in September launched an operation targeting stock thieves in Gwanda district resulting in 98 cattle and 12 donkeys being recovered under the first phase of the operation dubbed "let's fight stock thieves/asilwiseni amasela ezifuyo/ ngatirwisei mbavha dzezvipfuyo" which ended on October 2.
Police went on to conduct the second phase of the operation from November 13 to 20 and 51 cattle as well as two donkeys were recovered.
Chief Mathe from Gwanda said the problem of stock theft cuts across the entire province and there was need for stepped up police operations.
"Stock theft is rampant although there are places which have been identified as hotspots. There is a need for police to work with communities to rid the area of stock thieves," he said.
Source - The Chronicle
