Sydney Mubaiwa

MIDLANDS BUREAU CHIEF

SOMABULA – Stock thieves who steal and debone cattle and get away with steak have sent shockwaves among farmers in the Midlands Province.

In recent days they struck in Lalapanzi, Somabula, Silobela and Lower Gweru and Police seems to have no clue on how to reign in this new strategy by thieves.

Midlands Police Spokesperson Inspector Emmanuel Mahoko confirmed some deboning cases.

“Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) is investigating yet another stock theft case where four beasts were deboned by unknown suspects in Somabula farming area.

“The offence was committed during the early hours of last Tuesday,” he said.

At around 5am, the complainant Nhlanhla Ndlove of Somabula farming area was shocked to wake up and see his four beasts slaughtered and deboned in the kraal.

A police report was made and the scene was attended. The perpetrators are not known. The total value of the stock is US$4 600.

Mahoko appealed to members of the public to intensify security measures in safeguarding their livestock.

“As the Police, we are appealing to members of the public for information which may lead to the arrest of the culprits. We also urge farmers to intensify their security measures to safeguard their stock,” he said.

A week ago, a Lalapanzi farmer lost six cattle after thieves slaughtered the beasts inside the kraal and deboned them.