An organized cattle rustling gang has reportedly arrived in the Umjoza area on the outskirts of Bulawayo where a farmer was left counting losses after thieves raided his farm and stole 50 head of cattle on various occasions since the beginning of last year.
Working closely with local residents, police have stepped up their crackdown on criminals, amid growing concerns that stolen meat is finding its way into Bulawayo markets to be sold cheaply at some butcheries and on the streets. Cattle rustlers are so bold that in some cases they leave evidence in the form of cow bells, heads, hooves and ear marks where they would have butchered stolen animals.
Mr Kindness Ndlovu, from Ward 16 in Umguza District, is one of the affected livestock farmers who feel the scourge of livestock theft, a major problem that costs the livestock industry hundreds of thousands of US dollars every year. More than 50 animals have been lost to cattle thieves, a huge loss of income by any standard, while the thieves appear to act with impunity.
“The only things stock thieves leave as evidence are the heads, ear tags or cow bells of cattle left at the scene,” Ndlovu told a meeting during a police anti-stock theft awareness campaign on the outskirts of Bulawayo near Khami. In Umjoza area.
“Having worked so hard over the years to raise my herd, it pains me to see someone walk away from my kraal and take what doesn’t belong to them.”
Livestock theft is rampant across Zimbabwe, with thieves hitting farmers hard in border areas as they work with cross-border gangs to steal livestock. On average, between 5,000 and 10,000 cases of livestock theft are reported each year in the country according to the Zimbabwe Republic Police Anti-Livestock Theft Unit.
Over the years, the unit has intensified its campaigns, deployments and community initiatives to combat animal theft, which causes huge losses to farmers, and high levels of anxiety in communities that have built up their herds over the years.
Ndlovu, a retired soldier, said he started losing his livestock early last year, and the trend continued until December last year. “I have been raising livestock for more than 20 years, and losing this large number of livestock is completely new to me,” he said.
“The stock thieves are depriving us of much-needed income. The saddest thing is that they kill a pregnant cow and then take the calf and leave it lying on the ground.
Farmers recounted how the daring thieves set traps in areas where animals graze, and once the animal is ensnared, they immediately ax it to death before skinning it and fleeing.
“I am even thinking of selling the remaining herd because I am afraid I will end up losing the entire herd with all my efforts wasted.
“When I sell my livestock, the price of each animal is US$400, so if you multiply that amount by 50, it translates into US$20,000, which is what I lost,” Mr Ndlovu said.
Another farmer, Mandlenkosi Gamango, said there was widespread theft of stock in the area, a development that continues to destroy livelihoods.
“As farmers, our wealth lies in our herd. We invest a lot in our livestock when we buy vaccines so that we get returns, but thieves come and take that wealth. “It has gotten out of control and I hope the culprits are caught sooner rather than later,” he added.
Bulawayo Provincial Police spokesperson, Inspector Abedneko Ncube, said they had launched a three-day campaign in response to the increase in stock theft.
He said last week that farmers in Ward 16 captured two Honda Fit cars carrying the bodies of the stolen beasts.
“Livestock, especially cattle, are an integral part of our economy and farmers must adhere to the strategies promulgated by the ZRP to ensure livestock security,” Insp Ncube said.
He urged farmers to tighten the monitoring mechanism to reduce this pest.
“Most of these cattle are stolen, slaughtered and then transported to the malls either in Honda carts or donkey carts,” said Insp Ncube.
Ward 16 chief Hubert Mangwana said he was working with local farmers and police to address the problem.
He also donated fuel to farmers who are part of the neighborhood watch committee to fuel their vehicles for night patrolling.
“We are facing a very difficult situation and that is why everyone has to be practical. At the moment, we are also working on repairing the road so that movement is easy for those who are patrolling,” says Cllr Mangwana.
