3 cattle dealers lose 7 cattle carcasses over permit breach

Three Mutare cattle dealers were left counting their losses after authorities impounded seven cattle carcasses they were transporting from the Marange communal area to Mutare without the required movement permit.

The trio - Simbarashe Mwagura, 32, of Mabvengwa Village, Lloyd Makanda, 31, of Makunike Village, and Simon Chibaya, 30, of Chikanga, Mutare - allegedly failed to obtain the necessary documentation after buying the cattle.

Acting Manicaland police spokesperson Assistant Inspector Wiseman Chinyoka confirmed the incident, saying the three had violated Section 2(1) of the Animal Health Act, Chapter 19.01, which prohibits the movement of livestock or livestock carcasses without a valid permit.

"On 21 August 2026 around 7.40 pm, ZRP Mutare Rural police got a tip-off to the effect that the accused persons slaughtered seven cattle at Karirwi Village under Chief Marange and loaded them into a truck intending to transport them to Mutare," said Chinyoka.

"Police officers proceeded to Sithole Business Centre and intercepted the truck."

Police searched the vehicle and allegedly found the seven cattle carcasses in the loading compartment.

When officers requested the relevant cattle documents, the trio reportedly failed to produce any.

Mwagura allegedly told police that he had purchased the cattle in the Marange area but had not obtained a movement permit from the Veterinary Services Department.

"The accused persons, the discovered carcasses and the vehicle were taken to ZRP Mutare Rural for further management. The Veterinary Services Department was engaged and inspected the carcasses and handed them over to the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals," Chinyoka said.

Investigations established that the cattle had not been stolen.

However, authorities determined that the three had failed to follow the required procedures for acquiring, slaughtering and transporting the animals.

The trio was subsequently charged with moving cattle carcasses without a permit.

The Veterinary Services Department condemned the carcasses, resulting in the dealers losing the seven cattle.

Police said investigations into the matter were continuing.
 
"We would like to thank members of the public for continuing to provide tips alerting police to illegal activities within their communities," said Chinyoka.