Stocktheft cases on downslide in Mat South

By Thupeyo Muleya
Matabeleland South province has recorded a decline in cattle rustling cases since the introduction of comprehensive and well coordinated ant stock theft campaigns involving police and the community.
In an interview, the acting provincial police spokesman, Sergeant Thabani Mkwananzi said the crime had declined by 34 percent in the first quota of this year as compared to the same period last year.
He said they had received a total of 266 cases between January and April this year as compared to 402 which were reported last year.
Sgt Mkwananzi added that despite recording a decrease to the crime they would continue coming up with strategies to completely eradicate rustling which he said was cancerous to the country’s economy.
“It is encouraging that we have recorded a remarkable decline to the crime of stock theft with a 34 percent margin. We will build on the strength on of this success and come up with more strategies to completely eradicate the crime of stock-theft.
“We have made inroads in problem areas such as Shanyaugwe, Nhwali, John Dip, Guyu, Tuli and those bordering with Botswana and South Africa, where we have been carrying out continuous raids with the assistance of information from members of the community.
“The figure has also decline following the arrest of most rustlers who have been on the run for over five years.
“Recently we arrested one Busywork Ndlovu of Guyu who has been on the run since 2009. He is facing three separate charges of rustling.
“We actually came up with a list of wanted rustlers and distributed to all the seven districts and business centers and traditional leaders” he said.
Sgt Mkwananzi said a unity of purpose among the concerned parties had also helped in reducing cases of rustling.
“We realised that Matabeleland South was hard hit by stock theft and decided to come up with anti stock theft committees which are spearheading the cancer which is threatening the country’s economic revival efforts.
“As police we will continue working tirelessly in combating crime despite facing an acute shortage of resources to implement some of the campaigns.
“This province is an area where animal husbandry is the main economic activity hence most of the country’s herd is located in this area.
“Furthermore the government is in the midst of restoring the national herd, which was devastated by a number of factors stock thefts and intermittent droughts. This therefore calls for us as law enforcers to complement that initiative” he said.
www.herald.co.zw
30 May 2011