By Owen Dhliwayo

Cattle rustling syndicates in Chipinge district are terrorizing villagers, stealing cattle and smuggling them into neighbouring Mozambique.

The rustlers, believed to be highly organised and well connected, have been targeting communities in Chipinge, making off with prized livestock worth thousands of dollars.

The Officer Commanding Police, Manicaland Province, issued Memo No. 2074/24 regarding the recovery of 32 cattle from Mozambique.

“On 10th day of July 2024, a delegation from Chipinge district, led by Officer Commanding Police in Chipinge district, Chief Superintendent Chimano held a bilateral meeting with Mozambique police officers in Espungabeira Town in Mozambique,” the Memo read.

The meeting was a collaborative effort to investigate the discovery of 32 cattle by Mozambique police in Mamutse area in Mozambique. They established that the cattle were stolen from Chipinge district. Wayera Sithole of Mufukwa village, under Chief Musikavanhu, successfully identified the herd of cattle as belonging to him.

“We have lost count of the number of cattle stolen,” said Bothwell Zitho, a local villager in Chisumbanje.

“It is like they have a network of informants here in Chipinge and buyers waiting in Mozambique,” Zitho said.

“Investigations are in progress to detect and arrest the accused persons,” said the Officer Commanding Police, Manicaland Province.

According to the police-issued Memo, the total value of the stolen cattle was R76,000.