Police arrest over 3,400 in nationwide stock theft crackdown

The Zimbabwe Republic Police says more than 3,400 people have been arrested during a nationwide operation targeting stock theft and illegal meat trading activities.

In a statement issued on Sunday, police said 415 suspects were arrested directly for stock theft offences, while an additional 2,997 people were apprehended for related crimes during the ongoing operation.

The nationwide blitz, code-named Batai Mbavha Dzemombe Nembudzi / Flash Out Cattle and Goat Rustlers / Bambani Amasela Ezinkomo Lembuzi, was launched on April 28 and has since been intensified across the country.

According to police, the related offences include operating butcheries without valid licences, illegal meat vending, failure to produce livestock movement permits, failure to maintain stock registers, and violations of public health and veterinary regulations.

During the operation, authorities recovered 43 cattle, 35 goats, 13 donkeys, one pig and 54 chickens believed to be linked to criminal activities.

Police also ordered the closure of 205 butcheries and 125 food outlets found to be operating outside regulatory requirements.

Paul Nyathi commended members of the public for cooperating with law enforcement agencies and supplying information that helped drive the operation.

Nyathi urged citizens to continue reporting suspicious livestock movements and illegal meat trading activities to police.

Reports can be made through the ZRP National Complaints Desk or via the force's WhatsApp reporting platform.