Cattle rustlers terrorise Lower Gweru villagers

Fear and frustration have gripped villagers in Lower Gweru after a daring cattle rustling operation left them reeling from the loss of livestock - a vital source of livelihood for many rural households.

Residents woke up to a rude shock after discovering several of their cattle missing, with some already slaughtered in nearby bushland. Police have since arrested three suspects - Prisca Sithole (34), Cathrine Sibanda (29), and a 16-year-old boy - who were allegedly caught red-handed skinning two carcasses at a makeshift butchering site on October 9, 2025.

According to the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP), the suspects are believed to be part of a six-member stock theft syndicate. The remaining three are still at large, and a manhunt is currently underway.

Villagers say the gang is accused of stealing five cattle under the cover of darkness. Their operation reportedly began to unravel when alert residents noticed the sound of distressed animals and the faint glow of vehicle headlights in the distance. Quick-thinking community members tipped off local authorities, leading to the dramatic arrests.

When officers arrived, they discovered two cattle already slaughtered and being skinned. Two buckets filled with offal were found at the scene, along with three live cattle tied nearby. Police also recovered a suspected getaway vehicle - a black Honda Fit parked discreetly under trees, its back seat folded down, apparently to create space for transporting livestock.

Police say the arrests form part of a wider crackdown on stock theft syndicates terrorising small-scale farmers across the Midlands Province.

"This is not just theft - it's an attack on people's survival," said one officer involved in the investigation. "For many in this area, a single beast represents school fees, groceries, or even a family's entire income."

Despite the arrests, many villagers remain sceptical. Some accuse local police officers of colluding with thieves, citing repeated cases where known suspects are released soon after being apprehended.

"We've caught thieves before and handed them over to the police," one villager told this publication. "But a few days later, they're back in the community, walking free. We've lost faith."

Eyewitness accounts shared on community forums paint a vivid picture of anger and despair among residents:

"We are facing a big challenge njengezakhamizi zeLower Gwelo! Uhlupho olukhulu ngolwamasela lenkomo plus incompetent police basebenza lamasela. Red-handed sibambe amasela kodwa atholakale esephandle," one message read.

Another villager added:

"These thieves were followed from Mboma Matshabeleni to Na KaMbebebe plot near Vungu River. A distress call was made to the Jobela village head to intercept them. The problem is the catch-and-release system - that's what's killing our community!"

Others expressed fear that the continued thefts could force them to destock, further threatening the region's already fragile national herd.

"As it stands, some of us are planning to de-stock. This is going to affect the national herd because of these rogue elements and incompetent policing around our area," said one farmer. "Personally, I had a case in 2021 - my three cattle were recovered, but the thief never spent a night in jail."

The ZRP has appealed for public cooperation and urged anyone with information on the remaining suspects to come forward.

However, villagers warn that without swift and transparent justice, trust in law enforcement will continue to erode.

Stock theft remains a serious issue in rural Zimbabwe, with criminal networks becoming increasingly sophisticated. Authorities say syndicates now frequently use small vehicles such as sedans to transport stolen animals under the cover of night - a tactic once considered impossible.