By Fanuel Chinowaita
POLICE have arrested two farm workers accused of stealing eight cattle worth US$4 000 from an elderly farmer in Headlands, with investigators recovering three of the animals.
In a separate case in Chimanimani, police also arrested two Mozambican nationals after four cattle allegedly stolen from villagers were intercepted on their way to Mozambique.
ZRP Manicaland Acting Spokesperson Assistant Inspector Wiseman Chinyoka confirmed the arrests, saying investigations into both cases were continuing.
In Headlands, farm workers Brian Chibanda (30) and Nomatter Isaac (36), both employed at Plot 8 Lawrencedale, are accused of stealing cattle belonging to Harare-based farmer Edward Solomon Makoni.
Chinyoka said the suspects allegedly took advantage of Makoni’s prolonged absence from the farm to steal the cattle and sell them to different buyers.
“Police received information that the suspects were stealing cattle from the complainant and swiftly reacted to the report,” Chinyoka said.
On September 21, police allegedly used an informer posing as a potential buyer to lure Chibanda into selling another animal.
The informer, accompanied by a police officer, allegedly bought a brown heifer for US$200 before police intercepted Chibanda along the road.
The heifer was recovered and handed back to its owner.
Police then arrested Isaac at Rosedale Farm in Headlands.
Investigations have since established that the suspects allegedly stole four oxen on May 25 and sold them to a gathering, where the animals were slaughtered and the meat distributed among those present.
Police further allege that a grey heifer and a brown hornless bull were sold in July, while another brown heifer was allegedly stolen and sold in August.
Three of the eight stolen cattle have so far been recovered, with the recovered livestock valued at US$1 500.
The two suspects are detained at ZRP Headlands.
Meanwhile, police in Chimanimani arrested Mozambican nationals Munasa Gewetikwita (20) and Lovemore Denias Tunge (38) after four cattle allegedly stolen from villagers in Chief Chikukwa were intercepted while being driven towards Mozambique.
The four animals — two heifers and two cows valued at US$1 550 — were left unattended at Dimbe grazing land on September 20.
The following day, one of the owners, Samson Munhuwenkosi, discovered that the cattle were missing.
He later received information that four cattle were being driven towards Mozambique through the Mohwa area.
Munhuwenkosi and other villagers followed the trail and allegedly found Gewetikwita with the animals.
The cattle were taken to a nearby homestead where their owners positively identified them.
Chinyoka said Gewetikwita allegedly implicated Tunge, claiming he had been sent to steal the cattle and hand them over to him near the border.
Tunge was subsequently arrested after Gewetikwita allegedly led villagers to where he was waiting.
All four cattle were recovered and returned to their owners.
The two suspects are detained at ZRP Chimanimani.
Chinyoka urged livestock owners, particularly those in border communities, to remain vigilant and closely monitor their animals to prevent stock theft.
