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Cattle rustlers in the Hurungwe district have left communal farmers counting their losses as most of them are waking up to empty cattle pens.
Hurungwe East has been the most affected constituency.
Mashonaland West provincial deputy police spokesperson Assistant Inspector Aggary Jaure confirmed the developments before adding that farmers were having sleepless nights because of marauding rustlers.
“We have reports that three farmers lost seven cattle in Tengwe on 21 November 2023 and investigations are ongoing. The value is estimated at US$4 000 and nothing has been recovered yet,” said Jaure.
She appealed to farmers to avoid leaving cattle unattended in grazing areas.
“We call on farmers to work closely as communities in protecting their cattle. The suspected rustlers target the cattle during the day by striking their legs to immobilize them. They will come later in the night to slaughter the cows leaving carcasses in the bush. This is an ongoing case that police are investigating.”
She urged farmers to build cattle pens near homesteads to minimize cases of rustling.
“Farmers must not make life difficult for themselves, but must work closely as communities and guard against rustlers that are reversing the gains of community development in our areas,’’ she said.
A communal farmer, Tobias Rucheka from Tengwe, claimed that rustlers were working closely with some butchery operators.
“The suspects are selling their loot to some unlicensed butcheries that have mushroomed in most towns and rural business centres. Police must investigate and launch operations that will limit stock thefts around Hurungwe,” he said.
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