The Sunday News
THE country has witnessed a significant drop in the number of stolen cattle and cattle rustling cases in the first half of this year, compared to the same period last year, police have confirmed.
National police anti-stock theft co-ordinator Senior Assistant Commissioner Bernard Dumbura, told Sunday News last week that the number of cattle stolen in the first six months of the year had gone down by 42 percent from figures recorded in the first half last year.
Snr Asst Comm Dumbura said the number of reported cases had also decreased by about 28 percent in the first two quarters of the year compared to the same period last year.
According to police statistics, 3 508 cattle were stolen from January to June this year, down from 5 325 that were stolen in the first six months of last year.
Police managed to recover about 1 000 stolen cattle in the first two-quarters of this year.
Statistics also show that 1 668 cattle rustling cases were reported in the first half of 2014 while the same period last year saw 2 332 cases being reported.
At least 421 culprits were arrested for stock theft while 9 246 people were arrested for stock theft related cases.
The national anti-stock theft co-ordinator attributed the decline in stock theft cases to the anti-stock theft campaign, coupled with numerous police operations held regularly to curb theft of cattle.
He also pointed out branding of cattle as one of the major factors that had led to a significant decline in cattle rustling cases.
“Since we launched the anti-stock campaign in 2005 we have been seeing a decrease in the number of stolen cattle and cattle rustling cases. We also have a number of operations that we conduct regularly and those have really helped in curbing stock theft cases.
“As police we do spot checks on people transporting cattle, our members also attend cattle auctions to monitor and see if there are no stolen cattle being sold. No cattle can be sold without police clearance and such a measure has helped a lot in curbing stock theft cases,” he said.
Police launched the anti-stock theft campaign in 2005 when over 25 000 cattle were being stolen annually.
The drop in cattle rustling cases has translated to a steady increase of the national herd to over 5,2 million, with Government planning to increase the herd to 20 million.
Snr Asst Comm Dumbura urged farmers to brand their cattle to help curb stock theft.
“The figures can be further reduced if farmers heed our call to brand cattle. Branding of livestock helps to identify animals with their areas of origin and owners as well. It makes it easy for us to identify stolen cattle and it will take us not more than 30 minutes to locate the owner,” he said.
Deputy Minister of Agriculture in charge of livestock, Cde Paddy Zhanda commended police for their efforts to reduce stock theft cases in the country.
Cde Zhanda said the reduction of stock theft cases in Zimbabwe was a positive development in the country’s efforts to increase the national herd.
He, however, added that the issue of increasing the national herd was a complex one which needed a multi-sectoral approach if maximum results were to be achieved.
“The national herd debate is complex. It is wider than people think and it is not only the responsibility of Government but even farmers themselves and operators of abattoirs.
“It is not necessarily a case of increasing the number of cattle but it also includes improving on the genetics of our bulls and heifers. Increasing numbers of cattle might translate to a higher demand of pastures, which we might not meet.
“So we would rather prefer a situation where the farmer has few cattle but of a bigger breed which would give him maximum benefit when selling,” he said.
Police anticipate a decrease in stock theft cases this year, from last year.
The police anti-stock theft unit has since 2005, put in place a raft of strategies to reduce cases of stock theft, among them the introduction of a livestock clearance certificate, engagement of traditional leaders in clearing cattle before sale, and animal branding.
Deterrent prison terms for offenders have also been put in place.
