28 stolen cattle recovered, 2 arrested

The Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) in Masvingo Province have arrested two men and recovered 28 stolen cattle following a stock theft incident in Triangle.

In a statement, ZRP Masvingo spokesperson Inspector Kudakwashe Dhewa confirmed the arrest of Elliot Hwende (49) of Village 1 Crown Range, Triangle, and Promise Njanjure (52) of Plot 35 Mungwezi, Chiredzi. The pair were apprehended for contravening Section 114 of the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act (Chapter 9:23).

The theft occurred on December 30, when Neverson Moyo (62) of Village 1 Basi, Triangle, discovered that ten of his cattle had gone missing. A tip-off led police to Onisimo Chibwe's homestead in Chief Neromwe's area, Chiredzi, where five cattle were found. Investigations revealed that Chibwe had been holding the animals for safekeeping on behalf of Moyo, who was subsequently arrested and implicated Njanjure.

Further searches at Njanjure's property led to the recovery of 23 cattle. Positive identification by Moyo and another complainant, Joseph Mpofu, confirmed 28 cattle in total.

Inspector Dhewa commended the public for their cooperation, urging communities, particularly in Triangle, to report suspicious livestock movements and to brand and monitor their cattle to prevent theft.