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Victor Maphosa Mash East Correspondent
Stock theft cases in Mashonaland East Province have increased sharply this year compared to the same period last year, Officer Commanding Mashonaland East Province, Senior Assistant Commissioner Lee Muchemwa has said.

Speaking during a cattle branding campaign at Mahusekwa Growth Point recently, Snr Asst Comm Muchemwa said the province recorded 1311 cases of stock theft from January to September this year.

“During the corresponding period last year the province received 937 cases of stock theft,” he said.

He said of the total cattle stolen last year, the police recovered 154 and for this year they recovered 145.

To curb the rise in stock theft cases, Snr Asst Comm Muchemwa urged farmers to brand their cattle for easy identification in case their stock is stolen.

“Branding is important because it helps in the identification of stray cattle,” he said.

“It helps also in the identification of recovered cattle or to establish the owners of cattle when they get mixed up at dip tanks or at sale pens.”