Cattle rustlers terrorise villagers
Sunday, 26 September 2010 10:21
DESPERATE villagers in Chief Chirau’s area in Makonde district have written
to police commissioner-general Augustine Chihuri asking him to intervene
after cattle rustlers believed to work in cahoots with rogue officers and
politicians stole 47 head of cattle.
The villagers from wards 11 and 12 say they are now living in fear of the
cattle rustlers after suspects they had arrested on August 28 were allegedly
released by police under unclear circumstances.
A suspect identified as Lawrence Ushewokunze had his gun seized by police on
September 4 but he was not arrested, the villagers complained in the letter
seen by The Standard.
According to the letter, about 47 cattle have been stolen since July last
year and only 10 have been recovered.
“After having waited for police to react (to the theft reports) we
discovered that no assistance was forthcoming because the police had
developed cold feet,” reads part of the letter.
The villagers reportedly approached Makonde police where they met a senior
officer who could not assist them.
“We lost patience and we decided to team up and make our own
investigations,” reads the letter.
“The subsequent investigations revealed that there was a syndicate
involved.”
The villagers say they discovered that the syndicates were most active in
areas such as Mainga plots, Chipfuvamiti, Chiuyu, Kabanga and Mukohwe
Valley.
“Right now there are some people stalking me.
“On at least four occasions I have been confronted by people from Mukohwe
Valley claiming to be hunting me down but somehow I managed to conceal my
identity,” said a man who said he was sent by villagers to deliver the
letter to Chihuri.
“I am even afraid to name the senior police officer involved for fear of
victimisation but one thing that we are sure of is the fact that they are
protecting these known criminals because they are all benefiting.”
However, a policeman only identified as Constable Murombedzi who is handling
the case said the alleged rustlers identified by the villagers were on the
wanted list.
“We suspect that the syndicates are linked and are reaching out as far as
Chegutu and Chinhoyi,” Murombedzi said.
But Murombedzi could not confirm claims by villagers that the syndicates
were working with police officers and politicians who protected them.
Chihuri was not reachable for comment.
BY KUDZAI CHIMHANGWA