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Police recover 43 stolen goats packed in a kombi
2 hrs ago |
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Zimbabwe Republic Police officers in Harare intercepted a commuter omnibus carrying 43 suspected stolen goats along Lorraine Drive in Westgate on Wednesday, in a case that has exposed an alleged livestock theft syndicate operating between Mashonaland Central and Harare.
Police said 15 of the goats had already suffocated after being tightly crammed inside the vehicle.
The suspects, identified as driver Robert Jaisi of Glenwood Park in Epworth and three alleged accomplices, reportedly abandoned the kombi and fled into nearby bushland after spotting police officers responding to a tip-off.
The commuter omnibus owners, Pauline Sandra Mahanikwa and her husband Tichawona Marakia Mukutuma, told investigators that Jaisi had hired the vehicle under the pretext of travelling to Mutare for three days and had paid the hiring fee in advance.
Sandra said the arrangement was concluded at their offices at Karigamombe Building in Harare after the suspect agreed to the vehicle hire conditions.
Suspicion was later raised after Mukutuma monitored the kombi using a tracking system installed in the vehicle.
According to him, the vehicle was moving mainly at night and travelled through areas close to the Zimbabwe–Mozambique border, including Mukumbura and Madziva, before passing through Bindura and returning to Harare via Old Mazowe Road.
The vehicle eventually stopped along Lorraine Drive near Masaisai School, prompting the couple to investigate.
Upon arriving at the scene, they reportedly found four men inside the kombi together with both live and dead goats. The suspects immediately fled on foot and disappeared into nearby bushland.
Harare provincial police spokesperson Luckmore Chakanza confirmed the incident.
"Police are investigating a stock theft case where a hired vehicle was found with live and dead goats inside," he said.
Chakanza said preliminary investigations suggest the livestock may have been stolen from areas visited by the suspects during the vehicle hire period.
"The total value of the stolen goats is US$1 945," he added.
In a separate case, Timothy Muvengwa reported the theft of nine goats belonging to Herbert Chitepo Secondary School in Marimba.
Police said the animals were slaughtered a few metres from the school grounds.
Stock theft remains a major challenge in several parts of Zimbabwe, with police repeatedly warning farmers and livestock owners to strengthen security measures and report suspicious movements involving animals and transport vehicles.
Police said 15 of the goats had already suffocated after being tightly crammed inside the vehicle.
The suspects, identified as driver Robert Jaisi of Glenwood Park in Epworth and three alleged accomplices, reportedly abandoned the kombi and fled into nearby bushland after spotting police officers responding to a tip-off.
The commuter omnibus owners, Pauline Sandra Mahanikwa and her husband Tichawona Marakia Mukutuma, told investigators that Jaisi had hired the vehicle under the pretext of travelling to Mutare for three days and had paid the hiring fee in advance.
Sandra said the arrangement was concluded at their offices at Karigamombe Building in Harare after the suspect agreed to the vehicle hire conditions.
Suspicion was later raised after Mukutuma monitored the kombi using a tracking system installed in the vehicle.
According to him, the vehicle was moving mainly at night and travelled through areas close to the Zimbabwe–Mozambique border, including Mukumbura and Madziva, before passing through Bindura and returning to Harare via Old Mazowe Road.
The vehicle eventually stopped along Lorraine Drive near Masaisai School, prompting the couple to investigate.
Harare provincial police spokesperson Luckmore Chakanza confirmed the incident.
"Police are investigating a stock theft case where a hired vehicle was found with live and dead goats inside," he said.
Chakanza said preliminary investigations suggest the livestock may have been stolen from areas visited by the suspects during the vehicle hire period.
"The total value of the stolen goats is US$1 945," he added.
In a separate case, Timothy Muvengwa reported the theft of nine goats belonging to Herbert Chitepo Secondary School in Marimba.
Police said the animals were slaughtered a few metres from the school grounds.
Stock theft remains a major challenge in several parts of Zimbabwe, with police repeatedly warning farmers and livestock owners to strengthen security measures and report suspicious movements involving animals and transport vehicles.
Source - The Herald
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