Thelma Wandayi
LALAPANZI: Midlands police has confirmed arrest of four cattle rustlers who have been causing havoc in Lalapanzi, Chiundura and Mvuma.
The four, Fanwell Zitiga (31), Tineyi Moyo (38), Walter Mukiza (40) and Chriswell Maponga (42), according to police would allegedly steal cattle from grazing lands and keep them at a Gweru farm before selling them unsuspecting buyers.
“The gang would allegedly steal cattle from grazing land and store them at a Gweru farm from where they would be sold and they were facing five cases of cattle rustling by time of arrest,” said Midlands police spokesperson Inspector Emmanuel Mahoko.
History has it that the gang’s arrest followed a tip-off on Maponga’s whereabouts who was on wanted for breaching bail conditions involving a stock theft related case.
“Maponga had initially been arrested and remanded out of custody by the court in a case where he had been found in possession of 14 stolen cattle. He then breached the bail conditions prompting the court to issue a warrant of arrest leading to his most recent arrest.
“Upon arrest, Maponga indicated that he was working with three others which later led to the arrest of Zitiga, Moyo and Mukiza,” Mahoko further said.
The four have since appeared in court and Maponga was remanded in custody while his accomplices were all remanded out of custody.
Police has since urged members of the public to embrace the practice of clearing all livestock transactions saying it safeguards them from the risk of acquiring stolen stock and end up being criminally charged.
