2 000 stock thieves arrested, say police

Crime Reporter
About 2 000 people were arrested last month for stock-theft and other related cases countrywide.

Police Anti-Stock Theft Unit national co-ordinator Senior Assistant Commissioner Bernard Dumbura said of the suspects, 43 were arrested for stock-theft while 1 843 were nabbed for related cases in January.

“In January this year 272 cases were reported as compared to 331 recorded last year during the same period and this translates to an 18 percent decrease,” he said.

He said during the same period this year, 557 cattle have been stolen this year as compared to 703 last year, translating to a 21 percent decrease.

Snr Asst Comm Dumbura said they had also launched an operation code-named “Chengetedzayi Zvipfuyo Zviripamutemo” which they started yesterday countrywide.

“Under the operation, we will be urging farmers to look after their cattle and to ensure that they have all the required documents for their livestock.

“We want the farmers to comply with the law either when keeping their livestock or moving them,” he said.

More than 22 000 people were arrested last year for stock-theft and other related cases countrywide. According to police, 805 were arrested for stock-theft while 21 566 were arrested for related cases.

Police Anti-Stock Theft carried out several operations and campaigns to curb stock-theft.

The unit recorded 4 711 cases in 2013 compared to 3 473 in 2014 translating to a 26 percent decline.

A total of 10 667 cattle were stolen in 2013 as compared to 7 292 giving a 32 percent decrease last year.

A total of 805 suspects were arrested for stock-theft in 2013 while 21 566 were arrested for related offences in 2014.

Records for year 2014 indicate that those convicted for stock-theft received sentences varying from nine to 90 years imprisonment.

The number of suspects was high due to several operations being carried out by the unit.

ZRP has also come up with different initiatives such building houses for police officers in farming areas to ensure they are accessible to the farmers.

Other initiatives include conducting surveillance on activities by players in the meat industry and community policing, a programme which has seen the ZRP extensively involving traditional leaders and the communities in policing.

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