The Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) has confirmed the arrest of six suspects in connection with a stock theft case.
In a statement issued on Saturday, January 04, the ZRP said the incident involved the theft of four cattle from Plot 8, Chikanga Farm, Chegutu, which occurred during the night of January 2, 2025.
The arrested suspects have been identified as Owen Tinashe Mandizvidza Mutungamiri (25), Philip Chirasasa (28), Lloyd Chirasasa (44), David Chirasasa (28), Peter Chirasasa (32), and Abel Chirasasa (30).
It is alleged that on January 3, 2025, at approximately 2:30 AM, the police in Saruwe received a tip-off that the suspects were travelling in a Toyota Noah vehicle, registration number ADP 440, along the Harare–Bulawayo Road.
They were being pursued by alert community members who had discovered them deboning the stolen cattle.
A roadblock was swiftly set up, leading to the successful arrest of the suspects. The police recovered four deboned carcasses, 25 kitchen knives, and 25 sacks from the vehicle.
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Six people were arrested for stealing four cattle from a farm in Chegutu. They were caught by the police after a tip-off and community members who saw them butchering the cattle. The suspects were found with knives and sacks in their car. The arrested people are Owen Tinashe Mandizvidza Mutungamiri, Philip Chirasasa, Lloyd Chirasasa, David Chirasasa, Peter Chirasasa, and Abel Chirasasa. The police are investigating the case and the suspects will face charges for stealing the cattle.

Five Family Members Arrested For Cattle Theft In Chegutu

Two brothers, Rassson Hove (38) and Moses Mudzingwa (31) have been sentenced to prison for a violent dispute that led to the unlawful slaughter of their sibling’s ox.
The two men, from Mangunye Village, will each serve an effective nine years in jail after the Gweru Magistrates’ Court suspended one year of their sentences on the condition that they pay restitution to the ox owner, their brother.
They are required to compensate him to the tune of US$500, with each contributing US$250.
According to the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA), the incident occurred on November 10, when the two brothers attended a funeral at their brother’s homestead.
Tensions flared after Hove and Mudzingwa accused the complainant of bewitching their deceased sibling. The disagreement escalated into a heated argument, which caused the complainant to flee his home in fear.
In an act of retaliation, Hove and Mudzingwa went to their brother’s kraal and unlawfully slaughtered one of his oxen.
They served a portion of the meat at the funeral while leaving the remainder in the complainant’s bedroom. The ox, valued at US$500, was not recovered.
Despite the brothers’ actions, the court allowed for the possibility of a reduced sentence, contingent on their compensation to the complainant.
As it stands, the two will each spend nine years behind bars unless the compensation is made.
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Two brothers, Rassson and Moses, were put in jail for killing their brother's ox during a family funeral. They were mad at their brother and accused him of bad things. So, they went to his house, killed one of his oxen, and left some of the meat in his bedroom. The court said they could lessen their nine-year sentences if they paid $500 to their brother, which they both need to pay half of. But if they don't pay, they will stay in jail for nine years. It all happened because of a big fight at the funeral.

Siblings Jailed For Slaughtering Brother’s Ox At Family Funeral

A vigilant member of the Bulawayo neighbourhood watch committee was assaulted with an axe handle by suspected cattle rustlers, but one of the perpetrators was arrested on Monday.
As reported by <a href="https://cite.org.zw/neighbourhood-watch-hero-thwarts-cattle-rustlers-in-dramatic-chase/">CITE</a>, police officers in Bulawayo arrested 43-year-old Bhekilizwe Nyathi from the Nkulumane suburb after he and his alleged accomplice were caught red-handed with five slaughtered, stolen cattle.
The neighbourhood watch member spotted the two suspects in a parked vehicle, which contained the cattle carcasses.
When the watchman approached the duo and inquired about their destination with the slaughtered animals, Nyathi allegedly became evasive.
After a failed attempt to bribe the watchman, Nyathi is said to have struck him in the mouth with an axe handle, causing injuries.
The spokesperson for the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) in Bulawayo Metropolitan Province, Inspector Abednico Ncube, confirmed the incident and the arrest of the suspect. Said Insp. Ncube:
<blockquote>
Nyathi then jumped into the vehicle and drove off, but the neighbourhood watch member managed to jump into the back of the van, from where he called for police assistance.
Nyathi and his accomplice drove for a while until their vehicle ran out of fuel. They abandoned the car and tried to flee, but the police and members of the public outpaced them.
Officers from Nkulumane police station attended the scene and noticed that the cattle had the Hope Fountain brand. The matter was then transferred to Hillside police station for further investigation.
As the police, we applaud the bravery shown by the neighbourhood watch member. Here in Bulawayo and surrounding areas, we are very strict on such offences.
We have declared that Bulawayo will not be a market for stolen cattle. We are very grateful to the vigilant neighbourhood watch member who risked his life to ensure the arrest of the accused.
</blockquote>
The stolen cattle belonged to 61-year-old Zenzo Luphahla of Hope Fountain, who revealed that the animals were stolen on Sunday after his herdsman left them grazing.
Luphahla said stock theft is a persistent problem in their area, and over the years, he has lost nearly 40 head of cattle to thieves. He said:
<blockquote>
I warned my herdboy that it was dangerous to leave the cattle unattended in the pastures because of the high incidence of thefts we have been recording. As fate would have it, later that day when he brought them back home, some were missing.
I later saw in a WhatsApp group that some cattle had been recovered in Bulawayo, but I never thought they could be mine.
A friend of mine later called and told me that they were my cattle after recognising the brand mark.
It is quite heartbreaking to lose five cattle at the same time, especially to thieves. But I am glad to have discovered what happened to them, rather than hoping they would return home at some point.
I am also grateful to the man who initiated the citizen’s arrest of the accused. We need more such brave men, and we hope to continue working well with the police to bring stock theft to an end.
</blockquote>
Last week, thieves targeted a farm in Banket, Mashonaland West Province, stealing 21 cattle from Plot 21, Batch Farm.
According to the police, 12 of the stolen cattle were recovered at a neighbouring farm, while the remaining 9 were found deboned at the crime scene.
In connection with the theft, a 32-year-old man, Sauro Mudzimiri, was arrested. At the crime scene, the police recovered 37 knives, heaps of steak meat, and 50 kg of empty bags, further corroborating the suspects’ involvement in the incident.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

In Bulawayo, a brave neighbourhood watch member stopped cattle rustlers and got assaulted. One suspect was arrested, and stolen cattle were recovered. The watchman saw the suspects with slaughtered cattle and tried to stop them. The suspect hit him with an axe handle but was caught by the police. The stolen cattle belonged to a man named Zenzo Luphahla. Stock theft is a big problem in the area. In another case in Banket, 21 cattle were stolen, and one suspect was arrested. The police found evidence linking the suspect to the crime scene. Efforts are being made to stop stock theft in the area.

Cattle Rustlers Flee With "Brave" Neighbourhood Watch Member On Back Of Van

The Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) has arrested a 32-year-old man in connection with the theft of 21 cattle from Plot 21, Batch Farm in Banket on Thursday, August 22.
In a statement, the ZRP confirmed the incident, saying 9 of the stolen cattle had already been slaughtered when the suspects fled from the scene.
According to the police, 12 of the stolen cattle were recovered at a neighbouring farm, while the remaining 9 were found deboned on the scene.
The ZRP further revealed that during the investigation, they recovered 37 knives, heaps of steak meat, and 50 kg of empty bags at the crime scene.
The arrested suspect, Sauro Mudzimiri (32), has been taken into custody and is currently assisting the police with their investigations into the case. The ZRP said:
<blockquote>
The ZRP is investigating a case of stock theft in which unknown suspects stole 21 cattle at Plot 21, Batch Farm, Banket on 22/08/24. Nine cattle were found deboned and 12 others were recovered at a neighbouring farm.
Meanwhile, 37 knives, heaps of stake meat, and 50 kg empty bags were recovered at the scene. Sauro Mudzimiri (32) has since been arrested in connection with the case.
</blockquote>
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

A farmer in Banket lost 9 cattle to thieves. Police found 12 cattle on a neighbouring farm and 9 cattle deboned on the crime scene. They also recovered 37 knives, heaps of steak meat, and empty bags. A 32-year-old man, Sauro Mudzimiri, has been arrested for the theft and is helping with the investigation. The incident happened on August 22 at Plot 21, Batch Farm. The police are still looking into the case of the stolen cattle.

Banket Farmer Loses 9 Cattle To Thieves, Police Recover 37 Knives From Crime Scene

A 19-year-old man from Nyawiswa village appeared before the Karoi Magistrates’ Court, charged with stock theft. He had stolen a cow and used it to pay lobola for his bride.
The brief facts of the matter as outlined by the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) are that on 12 April 2024, at around 6 PM, and at Dabvu homestead, the complainant penned his herd of cattle and went home.
During the same night, Locky Chigwengwe (19), went to the complainant’s cattle kraal untied a black cow with curved horns and drove it away unnoticed.
Chigwengwe used the stolen cow to pay lobola the following day to Ian Wamiridza of Muchena village.
The complainant noticed the missing beast the following morning at around 8 AM and reported the matter to the police.
Investigations were conducted and on 14 April 2024 Wamiridza was found in possession of the stolen cow and he implicated Chigwengwe leading to his arrest. The value of the stolen cow was US$400.
Chigwengwe was found guilty and sentenced to 9 years imprisonment.
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Karoi Man Steals Cow To Pay Lobola

Two men have been arrested for stealing 28 cattle in and around the Turf Area, Kadoma, Mashonaland West Province over a period of thirteen months.
Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi, the national police spokesperson, also confirmed the arrest of two other suspects for allegedly stealing two heifers in Kadoma. Reads the statement:
<blockquote>
The Zimbabwe Republic Police confirms the arrest of Francis Masvora (54) and Takudzwa Masvora (26) in connection with a spate of stock theft cases in which the suspects stole 28 cattle in and around Turf Area, Kadoma from January 2023 to February 2024.
On the 27th Match 2024, a police crack team acted on received information and raided the two stock theft suspects at their place of residence in Eiffel Flats, Kadoma.
Investigations carried out by the police established that the suspects were in possession of 15 cattle which they failed to account for.
Resultantly, the arrest of the two suspects led to the recovery of eight cows, four heifers, one bull and two calves from the suspects’ kraal, which were all positively identified by five complainants.
Further investigations carried out by the police led to the recovery of 13 cattle which were sold to five buyers. The value of the recovered 28 cattle is US$14 000.00.
In a similar case, police in Kadoma arrested Munashe Mugova (23) and Julius Hlanayi (23) in connection with a case of stock theft which occurred on 16th March 2024 at Pamene Farm, Kadoma in which two heifers were stolen.
On 17th March 2024, the police attended the scene and raided the suspects’ plot. On seeing the police, the two suspects ran away leaving 13 cattle in the kraal.
Two heifers were positively identified by their owner and were subsequently recovered. Investigations by the police unearthed that 11 cattle were suspected to have been stolen and were handed over to the local headman for safekeeping awaiting identification by their rightful owners.
On 28th March 2024, the police acted on received information and conducted a raid at the suspects’ plot in Pamene Farm, Kadoma leading to their arrest.
Meanwhile, on 30th March 2024, police in Chikari acted on received information and arrested a meat vendor, Tawanda Musongeya (38) at his house in Meldon Ace Mine Compound, Chikari.
The police conducted search at his house leading to the recovery of beef amounting to a full carcass. The suspect implicated his brother Hardlife Musongeya and his brother-in-law Praise Mboni as his accomplices. On seeing the police, Hardlife Musongeya and Praise Mboni ran away.
Investigations carried out by the police revealed that the three suspects had assigned their wives Tirevei Jacob (32), Kudzanai Salimu (19) and Noster Simon (34) to sell the meat around Dalny Compound, Chakari. The trio was subsequently arrested.
Tawanda Musongeya led the police to Käbhanga grazing land for indications, where the police established that the suspects stole and slaughtered cattle in Mukamba Area, Chakari.
At the scene, the police recovered one brown hornless cow head, four hooves, offals and one brown hide. The police also noticed four decomposed brown cattle heads and one decomposed black cow head which were all seen at about 15 metres from the scene.
The Zimbabwe Republic Police is appealing for information which may lead to the arrest of the two outstanding stock theft suspects, Hardlife Musongeya (25) and Praise Mboni (28) who are being sought in connection with this case.
Anyone with information to report at any nearest police station or contact our National Complaints desk on (0242) 703631 or WhatsApp on 0712 800 197.
</blockquote>
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

Two Men Arrested For Stealing 28 Cattle In Kadoma

A ZANU PF councillor in Insiza North has been accused of stealing cattle and selling them to Esigodini Abattoir.
Insiza North Ward 17 councillor Sindiso Ndlovu (40), and his co-accused, Buhle Nkomazana (29), appeared before Magistrate Talent Phiri at Filabusi Magistrate’s Court on Thursday, reported <a href="https://cite.org.zw/zanu-pf-councillor-arrested-for-stock-theft/">CITE</a>.
They were each granted ZWL$500 000 bail and remanded to 14 December 2023.
Prosecuting, Shepherd Moyo alleged that Ndlovu stole a cow and an ox from Richard Dube’s farm. Said Moyo:
<blockquote>
Allegations are that on a date unknown to the prosecutor but during the period extending from the 10th day of November 2023 to the 13th day of November 2023, Ndlovu proceeded to Richard Dube’s farm and stole one brown cow with a white bottom and white tail end, branded DAL3K3, and one brindle ox with a spot on the face, dehorned and not branded, and took them to his place of residence where he kept them before selling them to Nkomazana.
Accused 3, who is still at large, cleared the stolen cattle using ZRP form 392 serial number 4006573 and he quoted Ndlovu’s brandmark on the clearance form yet the stolen cattle did not have Ndlovu’s brandmark on them.
He also indicated on the clearance form that all the stolen cattle had the same earmark yet they had different earmarks.
</blockquote>
Moyo further alleged that Ndlovu then took the stolen cattle to Esigodini Abattoir and sold them. He said:
<blockquote>
The police who were investigating another case received a tip-off that Ndlovu was in possession of some stolen cattle.
Upon acting on that tip-off, the police interviewed Nkomazana, who was at Break and Tum Butchery, Nkankezi business center, Filabusi, and he informed the police that he had bought the cattle from Ndlovu and had sold them at Esigodini Abattoir.
The police proceeded to Esigodini Abattoir where they recovered hides that had Dube’s brand marks on them.
Onias Dube, the receiving officer at the abattoir, implicated Nkomazana, who in turn implicated Ndlovu, leading to their arrest.
</blockquote>
In Zimbabwe, where a person is convicted of stock theft in contravention of section 114 (2) of the Criminal Law [Codification and Reform] Act, [Cap 9: 23], and there are no special circumstances, the court has no choice but to impose nothing less than the minimum mandatory penalty of nine years imprisonment.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

ZANU PF Councillor Arrested For Stealing Cattle

A police officer and his accomplice have been arrested for stealing and slaughtering an ox belonging to a 42-year-old woman in Uzumba, Mashonaland East Province.
The cop, Constable Kudzanai Hwingwiri and a civilian Admire Machipisa, both from the Chikurubi Support Unit camp were intercepted at a police roadblock.
Writing for <a href="https://cite.org.zw/cop-arrested-for-stock-theft/">CITE</a>, Senzeni Ncube reported police sources as saying the two suspects were nabbed by officers from Mutawatawa camp who were manning a roadblock on Friday morning at Magunje turn off, Murehwa under operation “No to Bangamuto”. Said a source:
<blockquote>
While carrying out a stop and search roadblock, a Nissan Sylph, registration number ACY 0325 approached from Mutawatawa direction wherefore constable Makaza signaled the driver to stop.
When the motor vehicle stopped, Constable Makaza demanded to search the vehicle after introducing himself to the driver.
That is when the accused Constable Hwingwiri went out of the vehicle and pretended to be heading to the boot.
He then insisted that his boot had problems opening. He then switched off his engine and immediately fled from the scene.
</blockquote>
Constable Madzivadondo and Constable Chiorese chased after him but he soon disappeared in a nearby field.
Machipisa was arrested by Sergeant Nyarupota and Constable Makaza as he tried to exit the vehicle. Added the source:
<blockquote>
A search was then conducted on the boot of the vehicle, where the police officers discovered the carcass of an ox.
A thorough search was also made in the vehicle where they recovered a police identity card belonging to Hwingwiri of the rank of Constable and a fully charged magazine of an AK 47 rifle.
The beast had not been skinned but had been cut into halves and its offals had been removed and placed in a sack.
The head, which was removed from the carcass, was also packed in the boot.
</blockquote>
Machipisa was interrogated by the Police and he revealed that they had stolen the ox from a cattle pen in Mutarimanja village.
He led a team comprising Sergeant Nyarupota, Constable Vuma and Constable Mazivadondo to the complainant’s residence where he indicated to them where they stole the ox.
Machipisa also led the police officers to the place where they had slaughtered the ox, about 400 metres west of the complainant’s homestead near the road. Said the police source:
<blockquote>
[The] complainant affirmed that she had her ox stolen from the cattle pen. She was taken to Magunje where she managed to identify the carcass in the accused persons’ vehicle as that of her stolen ox. The total value stolen is united states dollars 300 and was recovered.
</blockquote>
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

Stock Theft: Police Officer Abandons Car At Roadblock And Flees

Cattle rustlers from Zambia are allegedly crossing the border into Zimbabwe and stealing livestock from Binga villagers, taking advantage of the lack of visibility by the police.
This was said by Binga South MP Gabbuza Gabbuza (MDC Alliance) during the National Assembly’s questions with notice session last Wednesday.
Gabbuza wanted to know why there have been no arrests of “cattle rustlers from Zambia, who have been stealing livestock in Saba and Lubanda wards.”
He also demanded that Home Affairs and Cultural Heritage Minister Kazembe Kazembe explain the measures “the government has instituted to curb commission of such crimes and recover the stolen livestock that have been identified across the border.”
In response, Kazembe said at the recently held Zambia-Zimbabwe Joint Permanent Commission on Security and Defence (JPC) in Livingstone Zambia it was agreed that police services from the two countries would work hand in glove to combat the crime. He said:
<blockquote>
As I speak efforts are underway to address the scourge.
On arrests, I would have to find out if there are any known culprits from Zambia that our police officers have failed to arrest after receiving information on stock theft.
It could be an issue of lack of information resulting in no arrests being done.
But as a country, whoever is involved in such acts, whether locals or foreigners, the law will take its course.
</blockquote>
Kazembe said his ministry was in the process of giving police officers patrol vehicles and other electronic gadgets like drones to fight crime. He added:
<blockquote>
We have started with Matabeleland South where to date we have established police bases in known areas that these livestock rustlers use when crossing into or outside Zimbabwe.
I would also like to engage you the honourable member together with the commissioner general of police to identify strategic places where we can establish police bases to patrol the affected areas of Saba and Lubanda.
</blockquote>
| <a href="https://vicfallslive.co.zw/index.php/2022/11/05/zambian-cross-border-rustlers-terrorise-binga-villagers/">VicFallsLive</a>

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