Daring cattle rustlers have become a menace in Umguza district where they are stealing cattle and donkeys at night, slaughtering the animals and selling the meat in Bulawayo.
Newly-resettled farmers in Maraposa, Redwood, Stella and Makondo are the most affected.
A villager from Redwood, Richard Matshona, who spoke to Newsday, had this to say:
They took two cattle from Mabhena’s homestead and slaughtered them along the Bulawayo-Victoria Falls Highway, just a few metres from the homestead, and left a national identity card belonging to one deceased person.
During the same night, they stole one beast from Sibanda’s homestead and three cattle were stolen from Makwelo’s homestead. They also took four donkeys.
A police source confirmed reports of cattle rustling in Umguza District. Said the source:
We are still making investigations as these people left no spoor because they slaughtered the animals and carried the carcasses away. No arrests have been made so far.
When Newsday reached out to Matabeleland North police spokesperson Chief Inspector Spiwe Makonese, she could not comment as she was out of office.