The Sunday News
A FOUR-MEMBER stocktheft syndicate, which was recently arrested by police in Lalapanzi after allegedly wreaking havoc in Chirumhanzu resettlement areas, stealing 64 cattle from different families before selling them to butcheries and abattoirs in Midlands and Masvingo provinces has been hauled before the court.
The four suspects, Shybow Vurende (30) of number 27 Tangly Ranch under Chief Nhema, Prosper Musamanyi (52) of number 10 Pella Village under Chief Chirumanzu, Never Taruwona (52) of number 31 Cross Malufu Village Nemisisi Resettlement in Mvuma and Philemon Mudzingwa (47) were arrested between July and August this year.
Police national anti-stock theft co-ordinator, Senior Assistant Commissioner Bernard Dumbura said the four suspects, who are believed to be cousins, were arrested after police intercepted one of their transactions.
Snr Asst Comm Dumbura said the police had recovered 32 of the stolen cattle and they had already been positively identified by their owners through personalised branding.
“I can confirm that we have arrested a stock theft syndicate in Mvuma after they stole 64 cattle from different families in Chirumhanzu resettlement areas.
“We have recovered the cattle and 32 have been identified by their owners,” he said.
Snr Asst Comm Dumbura said one of the suspects masqueraded as a village head from the resettlement areas to get police clearance for the stolen cattle.
He said the syndicate would steal the cattle in grazing areas while sometimes they would break into kraals.
“The suspects were found with 64 cattle in their kraal whose origin they could not explain. Some of the victims came and identified their animals. We are still looking for the owners of the other 32 cattle,” he said.
It is alleged that the group had subdivided itself into three where Vurende and Musamanyi were responsible for stealing the cattle and keeping them, while Taruwona, who masqueraded as a village head, was responsible for bribing the police to get clearance.
Mudzingwa was responsible for identifying markets, selling and slaughtering of the stolen cattle.
Luck, however, ran out for the syndicate when they stole 13 cattle from one of the villagers on 30 December last year and were arrested after they were spotted driving the cattle.
The syndicate would bribe the police to get clearance for the stolen animals before transporting them to their respective target markets and share the proceeds thereafter.
Meanwhile, the four suspects appeared before Gweru magistrate, Florence Nago on Friday to answer stock theft charges.
They were remanded in custody to next week Friday.
