Police Blamed For Rise In Stock Thefts
By Vusisizwe Mkhwananzi Gwanda, February 06, 20102 – Farmers in Matabeleland
South province have blamed the Zimbabwe Republic Police for the increase in
stock thefts saying the force is failing to effectively respond to reports
due to its depleted fleet amid revelations that 60 cattle are stolen every
month.
The police reportedly demand fuel from complainants who want their livestock
tracked down, while in some instances they have ordered those affected to
bring their suspects.
“The police are not doing enough to curb cattle rustling; we are now being
forced to dig deep into our pockets to help police track down cattle
rustlers. At one time I went to Guyu to make a report and was told to bring
suspects up to now seven of my cattle are still missing,” said Lerato Moyo
of Ntepe.
Matabeleland South Police Spokesman Inspector Tafanana Dzirutwe conceded
there was a shortage of vehicles but said this has not stopped them from
doing their work.
“The shortage of vehicles is not a problem for Mat South alone; it is a
nationwide problem,” he said.
The police have also come under fire for overseeing auctions for branded
stray cattle without bothering to track down the owners.
In 2011 of the 1 273 cattle that were reported stolen only 600 were
recovered while 60 cattle rustlers were convicted out of the 266 that were
arrested.