CHIPINGE – Police in Wedza intercepted cattle stolen from Buhera and were being transported to Ruwa where they were supposed to be sold at a Unifresh Abattoir, according to reports.

The stolen cattle numbered 21 and had a value of US$9 000, Chipinge Times was told.

The beasts were stolen from two families and the incident happened on Saturday.

The rustlers were identified as Jarney Mukanyi, Austin Nyepai, Blessed Nyepai, Josiah Nyepai, all from Buhera and Gladmore Dzenzi of Mutoko.
Manicaland Provincial Acting Police Spokesperson Assistant Inspector Wiseman Chinyoka confirmed the arrest. The suspects were arrested at a road block in Wedza.

“I can confirm the arrest of the suspects at a roadblock in Wedza. All the beasts have been recovered and investigations are in progress,” he said.

On Saturday at 6pm, Richard Kusisa (61) of Hanyire Village under Chief Nyashanu in Buhera and Pwanyiwa Nzembe (72) of Mushaka Village in Buhera penned their cattle as usual.

Mumanyi and the three Nyepai brothers teamed up and stole four cattle from Kusisa and 17 from Nzembe.

They drove the cattle to Murambinda-Muzokomba junction near Manhuru Business Centre where they waited for a transporter Dzenzi to take them to Harare.

Dzenzi arrived at 2am and they loaded 11 beasts into a Hino truck leaving 10 in the bush.

They were stopped at a road block in Wedza and asked to produce clearance documents for the cattle and they failed to do so. They were asked to drive back to Murambinda for verification of the papers and on arrival, the 11 cattle were identified by a relative of the owner leading to their arrest.

All the beasts have been returned to their owners.