Police Arrest Eight Suspected Cattle Rustlers, Including Three Women, in Kadoma
A crackdown on stock theft in the Kadoma area led to the arrest of eight suspected cattle rustlers, which included three women. During the operation, police successfully recovered 41 cattle.
Among those apprehended were a father and his son who were found to be targeting farmers in and around Kadoma.
National police spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi stated that investigations into the matter are ongoing.
“The Zimbabwe Republic Police confirms the arrest of Francis Masvora aged 54 and Takudzwa Masvora aged 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,” he said.
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On March 27, 2024, a police crack team acted on a tip off and raided the two stock theft suspects at their house in Eiffel Flats, Kadoma. “Investigations carried out by the police established that the suspects owned 15 cattle which they failed to account for. 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,” Asst Comm Nyathi said.
On March 30, authorities in Chakari took action by arresting a meat vendor named Tawanda Musongeya (38) at his residence in Meldon Ace Mine Compound.
A search of Musongeya’s house resulted in the discovery of a full carcass worth of beef. During questioning, Musongeya pointed to his brother, Hardlife Musongeya, and brother-in-law, Praise Mboni, as his partners in crime. However, both fled their homestead upon sensing the presence of law enforcement.
Further investigations by the police unveiled that the trio had assigned their wives, Tirevel Jacob (32), Kudzanai Salimu (19), and Noster Simon (34), to sell the stolen meat in Dalny Compound, Chakari. Consequently, the wives were also taken into custody.
Following Musongeya’s guidance, the police proceeded to Kabhanga grazing land for additional evidence, confirming that the suspects had stolen and slaughtered cattle in Mukamba Area, Chakari. Among the recovered items at the site were one brown hornless cow head, four hooves, offal, and one brown hide.
