The Sunday News
THE number of cattle stolen across the country has gone down by 33 percent for the period between January and September compared to the same period last year as police and different stakeholders step up efforts to deal with the challenge.
Statistics from the Zimbabwe Republic Police Anti-Stock Theft Unit show that between January and September 5 405 cattle were stolen compared to 8 088 during the same period last year.
Anti-Stock Theft co-ordinator Senior Assistant Commissioner Bernard Dumbura said police have continued to report success in dealing with stock theft.
He told farmers at the Zimbabwe Commercial Farmers Union of Zimbabwe (ZCFU) 20th annual congress in Bulawayo on Friday that reported cases have also gone down by 26 percent during the comparative period.
“During the period January to September 2013, the Unit recorded 3 534 cases in 2013 against 2 608 received during the same period this year translating to a 26 percent decrease. In 2013, the total number of cattle stolen was 8 088 against 5 405 during the same period this year giving a 33 percent decrease,” he said.
Snr Asst Comm Dumbura said over the years the country has seen a decline in stock theft as figures show that cattle stolen went down from 27 000 in 2004 down to 10 638 last year.
“In the year 2004, the number of cattle stolen was 27 000 compared to 2013 where a total of 10 638 cattle were stolen translating to a decrease of 61 percent. It is also pleasing to note that the scourge of stock theft has been decreasing as we progressed into 2014,” he said.
He said the police was working hard to ensure that all cattle rustlers were arrested.
“This year alone, a total of 629 suspects have been arrested for stock theft while 16 023 were arrested for stock related offences. Our records as from January 2013 to September 2014 indicate that those convicted of stock theft received varying sentences of nine to 90 years imprisonment,” said Snr Asst Dumbura.
He, however, said there was still a need for a concerted effort to further reduce stock theft cases.
“Despite the achievements, there is a need for the crime of stock to be reduced. It is against this background that the fight against stock theft calls for the heightening of participation by farmers and their generality of the community.”
He said, in keeping with the principles of community policing, local law enforcement agencies should develop working partnerships with the agriculture industry to increase awareness and reporting of suspicious activities.
Snr Asst Comm Dumbura said through programmes such as the branding of cattle the country had witnessed a decline in cattle theft.
He said the Unit has launched several campaigns to fight cattle rustlers and educate farmers on proper management of their livestock.
“We had an Operation code-named, ‘Operation Gcinani Izifuyo, Chengetedzai Zvipfuyo’ focusing on good livestock management practises.”
He said the unit also launched programmes to monitor the slaughtering of cattle and the selling of meat.
“We have exercises such as ‘Inyama Uyithethe Ngaphi/Operation Nyama Yabvepi’ under which the police monitor the source of meat sold by any butchery. Butcheries should be able to verify where they got the meat from. We also had an operation called ‘Operation Surveillance’ focused at monitoring the operation of butcheries, abattoirs and food outlets,” said Snr Asst Comm Dumbura.
He said the introduction of the Police Clearance Certificate Form 392 had also curtailed the movement of cattle rustlers with their loot.
