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Chipo Sabeta Chinhoyi Bureau
Two suspected rustlers have been arrested in Lion’s Den after they were found driving seven beasts and were apprehended by alert villagers.

Tawanda Gwaze (22) and Kevin Marahondo (23) were apprehended after stealing cattle from Kenami Estate recently. Mashonaland West police spokesperson Clemence Mabweazara confirmed the arrest of the duo.

“The duo were apprehended by villagers in Lion’s Den after they were found driving cattle from Kenami Estates,” he said. Villagers, including Barnabas Mashanda and Lovemore Nyandoro of Kenami Estates were coming from the beerhall when they saw seven cattle. They managed to identify the cattle as belonging to the estate, but they could not locate who was driving them.

“They couldn’t locate the people driving the cattle and after waiting for some time, Mashanda and Nyandoro decided to drive the cattle to their kraal for safe keeping before alerting neighbours,” said Insp Mabweazara.

Gwaze and Marahondo later came claiming the cattle, but Mashanda and Nyandoro demanded the police clearance letter authorising them to move the cattle.

They could not produce the documents and fled the scene after failing to prove ownership of the cattle. Villagers caught up with Gwaze, whilst Marahondo managed to escape. The following day, police at Alaska base received a report of stock-theft from four people Nobert Mapfumo, Leon Nyaresa, Sarudzai Phiri and Maravanyika.

The four managed to positively identify their beasts, with Maravanyika recovering three cattle and Nyaresa recovering two. The two have since been remanded in custody to Friday next week. If found guilty, they face a sentence of not less than nine years.