Staff writer
Villagers in Mhondoro district are concerned over an increase in stock theft in the area and are calling for a quick remedial action to be taken to redress the problem.
Several villagers who spoke to The Blast said cattle rustlers are even targeting chicken and goats.
“We are having a problem of an increase in stock theft in our village in Watyoka under Chief Mashayamombe.Last month, a neighbour lost two oxes, while another one who had just embarked on road runner chicken project, lost all his chickens.
The problem is that even if the matter of cattle rustling is reported to local law enforcement agents, no tangible action is taken,” said a villager from Watyoka village who declined to be named.
Another villager from the same area said:
“A well known cattle rustler (name supplied) is working in cahoots with colleagues and sell the stolen cattle at Watyoka Business Centre.”
Another villager from Neuso told The Blast that the cattle rustling problem increased in October last year resulting in several villagers losing their cattle, goats and chicken.
“The problem of cattle rustling began in October last year and it has been on the increase and it seems no solution is in sight.”
Another villager from Mukono village said:
“We are calling on law enforcement agents to come and assist us.Kwangu kuside kwaMukono village, huyai mutibatsire…varura, handizive kuti mbavha idzi dziri kubva kupi, but ndofunga kuti tinogara nadzo…vavakidzani nehama ndivo vari kuita basa rekuba.”
Another villager from Manyewe Business Centre in Mhondoro Ngezi said villagers have lost a number of cattle and have failed to replace lost herd.
“PaMhondoro pave kutoda rubatsiro uye vanhu vazhinji havachakwanise kutenga mombe zvichireva kuti hurombo hauchapere muMhondoro.”
Sources told The Blast that some cattle rustlers are working hand in hand with some butcheries in nearby areas outside Mhondoro.
Police at times mount roadblocks at strategic areas to curb the problem.