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Police arrest suspected cattle rustlers at Bulawayo abattoir
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The Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) has arrested three individuals in connection with a suspected stock theft case at an abattoir in Belmont, Bulawayo. The suspects were apprehended on December 17, 2024, after attempting to slaughter 11 cattle that had been moved using fraudulent documents.
The ZRP identified the suspects as Trust Mpofu (37), Prince Dube (40), and Mthuthukisi Msizi (31). According to the police, the trio had presented a forged stock clearance form at the abattoir to authorize the slaughter of the cattle.
ZRP National Spokesperson Commissioner Paul Nyathi confirmed the arrest, stating, "The ZRP confirms the arrest of Trust Mpofu, Prince Dube, and Mthuthukisi Msizi at an abattoir in Belmont, Bulawayo on December 17, 2024, in connection with a suspected case of stock theft." Nyathi further revealed that the police discovered the cattle had foreign brand marks, raising suspicions that they had been stolen from outside the country.
In addition to the arrests, the police also impounded the UD 60 truck, registration number AFK4503, which had been used to transport the stolen livestock. The truck is now under police custody as investigations continue.
The arrest of the suspects has raised concerns over the illicit movement of livestock across borders, with authorities now focusing on tracing the origins of the stolen cattle. The ZRP has not ruled out the possibility of further arrests as the investigation progresses.
This latest incident highlights ongoing challenges with livestock theft and the need for stricter monitoring of abattoir operations and livestock transportation in the country.
The ZRP identified the suspects as Trust Mpofu (37), Prince Dube (40), and Mthuthukisi Msizi (31). According to the police, the trio had presented a forged stock clearance form at the abattoir to authorize the slaughter of the cattle.
ZRP National Spokesperson Commissioner Paul Nyathi confirmed the arrest, stating, "The ZRP confirms the arrest of Trust Mpofu, Prince Dube, and Mthuthukisi Msizi at an abattoir in Belmont, Bulawayo on December 17, 2024, in connection with a suspected case of stock theft." Nyathi further revealed that the police discovered the cattle had foreign brand marks, raising suspicions that they had been stolen from outside the country.
The arrest of the suspects has raised concerns over the illicit movement of livestock across borders, with authorities now focusing on tracing the origins of the stolen cattle. The ZRP has not ruled out the possibility of further arrests as the investigation progresses.
This latest incident highlights ongoing challenges with livestock theft and the need for stricter monitoring of abattoir operations and livestock transportation in the country.
Source - NewZimbabwe
