Kezi Chief bans night movement of cattle

CHIEF Bango has ordered his subjects in Kezi to detain any truck they see transporting cattle at night and notify the police as part of efforts to curb rampant rustling in the area.

In a speech during the official opening of Mbembeswana Police Base in Kezi on Wednesday, Chief Bango said villagers have to take part in fighting criminal activities in their area.

"We villagers should prevent transporters from ferrying cattle from this area during the night.

"If you see them you should detain them with the help of the police and only release them the following day after you are satisfied that they are not carrying stolen cattle.

"Cattle thieves are a problem in this area," said Chief Bango.

He urged the Government to license cattle buyers so that there was order in the trade as the current scenario allows anyone to buy cattle anywhere.

"Buyers are a problem. These people should have licences to buy cattle. We don't want anyone to come and buy cattle even under a tree. Cattle should be sold at cattle sales because anything outside that is encouraging stock theft," he said.

Chief Bango's sentiments come amid reports that stock theft cases have become prevalent in Kezi. Last month, police in Gwanda also banned the transportation of cattle at night to curb cattle rustling.

The ban followed an incident in June when villagers in Matshetshe went on the rampage and burnt three homesteads in Insindi resettlement area.

The homesteads belonged to suspected cattle rustlers and a number of villagers were arrested in connection with the disturbances and the cases are still before the courts.