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Daniel Chigunwe Correspondent
FOUR cattle rustlers, among them two policemen have been arrested for stealing 12 cattle valued at $4 200 from Mozambique.

They allegedly stole the beasts and drove them to Mbire District in Mashonaland Central.

Evans Chekai (30) and Carlos Musarurwa (28) of Zimbabwe Republic Police Mushumbi Pools Station and Shakeman Kachepa (30), and Locadi Karavhini of Chief Matsiwo in Mbire pleaded not guilty when they appeared before Guruve magistrate Mr Shingirai Mutiro last week. They were remanded to October 20. Prosecutor Mr Albert Mazhindu said on September 3, the complainant, Mr Nometa Evaristo Muanza (30) of Magobo Village under Chief Makombe of Mozambique was advised by his employee Mr John Shamhu that 12 beasts were missing.

“On the following day, the complainant in the company of Mr Shamhu decided to track the cattle after suspecting that they had been driven to Zimbabwe. When they crossed into Zimbabwe, they were advised to check for the beasts at Mahuwe Post boom gate as that was the only point the cattle could pass through. On September 7, the complainant received a tip-off that there was a herd of cattle being driven by Kachepa in Muchenje Village. They went to the area and managed to positively identify 11 stolen beats leading to the arrest of the accused,” he said.

On interrogation, Kachepa implicated the other three, presenting his cellphone which had text messages from the trio directing the movement of the cattle leading, to the arrest of Musarurwa, while the other co-accused fled. They  were later arrested by the police in Seke.