Crime Reporter
Over 9 600 suspected rustlers were arrested in the first half of the year, police have confirmed.
This is a decrease by 28 percent compared to the same period last year. Between January and June this year, police handled 1 668 cases compared to 2 332 last year.Police Anti-Stock Theft Unit national co-ordinator Senior Assistant Commissioner Bernard Dumbura said a total of 3 508 cattle have been stolen so far this year.

“There is also a 42 percent decrease in the number of cattle stolen this year as compared to last year. During the same period last year, 5 325 cattle were stolen,” he said.

He said of the over 9 600 suspects, 421 were arrested for stock theft while 9 246 for stock theft related cases.

Snr Asst Comm Dumbura attributed the decrease in stock theft to various strategies like campaigns against rustling.

This year alone police conducted 2 715 campaigns countrywide.

Police launched operations like “Nyama Yabvepi”, “Kwete mombe kumigwagwa” and Chengetedzai zvipfuyo zviri pamutemo”.

Stock theft is rife in Midlands and Masvingo provinces.