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Freeman Razemba Crime Reporter
Fifty-six people have been arrested countrywide by the Police National Anti-Stock Theft Unit for leaving their cattle to graze along highways.
The police launched a blitz against livestock  owners  whose beasts ventured alongside highways to curb accidents caused by stray animals.
The operation is code-named “No to livestock on the roads/Kwete Mombe Mumigwagwa” and was launched in January. Transport and Infrastructure Development Minister Dr Obert Mpofu announced recently that Government would see to fencing-off of major highways to avoid livestock straying onto roads. National Co-ordinator for Anti-Stock Theft, Senior Assistant Commissioner Bernard Dumbura, yesterday said that the arrests were effected from Monday last week and errant livestock owners would be fined.

“We will be arresting the owners because according to the law, it is an offence to leave cattle along the roads,” he said.
Snr Asst Comm Dumbura said the operation would continue until the point  is driven home.
He said they had conducted 97 awareness campaigns to this end and reached 1 753 families.

“A total of 1 274 motorists were also reached during the campaigns and we were urging them to be on the lookout for stray livestock when travelling on the country’s major roads,” Snr Asst Comm Dumbura said.

According to the Traffic Safety Council of Zimbabwe, motorists driving through rural areas are often tempted to travel at higher speeds, but usually come across hazards such as stray livestock.