By Fanuel Chinowaita
MUTARE, July 2, 2026 – Two men have been arrested in connection with the theft of seven cattle valued at US$2,900 in Inyati, Manicaland Province, with police recovering all the stolen livestock.
The suspects have been identified as Caleb Emmanuel Nemuseso (24) of Mudzengerere Village, Inyati and his father, Webster Nemuseso (68), from the same village.
According to police, the thefts occurred between early June and June 25, 2026, when cattle belonging to four villagers from Gowakowa grazing area disappeared.
The complainants are Charles Mbuwa (39), Kelvin Mugoti (30), Brian Mugoti (39), and James Mbuwa (41), all of Village 26A, Gowakowa, Inyati.
Investigations revealed that the first three complainants initially searched for their missing cattle within surrounding villages but did not immediately report the cases to police.
The breakthrough came on June 26 after villagers intercepted Caleb Nemuseso while he was driving a hornless black and brown heifer. When questioned, he allegedly failed to explain ownership of the animal before fleeing, leaving the beast behind.
Later that day, police received information that Nemuseso was hiding at his girlfriend’s homestead in Mudzengerere Village. Officers from Chiendambuya Police Base conducted a raid at around 7 pm and arrested him.
During questioning, police say Nemuseso confessed to stealing the heifer from Gowakowa grazing area, adding that he had previously worked in the area as a domestic worker and was familiar with the complainants’ livestock.
His confession prompted police to contact the fourth complainant, James Mbuwa, who confirmed one of his cattle was missing.
Following the arrest, the other three complainants formally reported their missing livestock to police.
Investigators subsequently recovered two cattle from the homestead of Juda Zvenyika after Nemuseso allegedly directed officers there. Police later recovered another four cattle from the homestead of his father, Webster Nemuseso, who was arrested on allegations of possessing the stolen livestock.
Police also recovered an ox allegedly sold to a man identified as Boyd Kapira after he led investigators to Gandanzara Village in Chiendambuya.
On June 29, all four complainants positively identified their recovered cattle.
Manicaland Provincial Acting police spokesperson Assistant Inspector Wiseman Chinyoka confirmed the arrests and recovery of the livestock.
“Police arrested two suspects in connection with stock theft in Inyati after investigations led to the recovery of all seven stolen cattle valued at US$2,900. We commend members of the public whose information assisted in the arrests and recovery of the livestock,” said Assistant Inspector Chinyoka.
He urged livestock owners to report stock theft cases without delay.
“We continue to encourage farmers and livestock owners to report cases of stock theft immediately, as prompt reporting increases the chances of recovering stolen animals and apprehending offenders,” he said.