Story by Aifheli Mudau
STOCK theft cases in Beitbridge District have dropped by more than 50 percent, following intensified collaboration between Government, law enforcement agencies and local communities.
Authorities say the integrated approach to combating cattle rustling is beginning to yield results, bringing relief to farmers who have long battled livestock losses.
“It is good news for us that Government is winning this war against cattle rustling. We are old now and these rustlers could even come to our kraals, so we were living in fear. We really appreciate the efforts,” a local resident said.
Community members credited the improved situation to closer cooperation with the police and other stakeholders.
“We have seen that working together with police and other organisations is bearing fruit, and we feel that our livestock is becoming safer day by day,” another villager said.
Local authorities confirmed the downward trend, attributing it to coordinated enforcement strategies and increased community involvement.
“We mobilised community members and worked together with authorities to reduce stock theft, and we are realising that we are winning the cattle rustling war,” Tshamunanga villager Ms Edith Tshidixwa said.
Business stakeholders have also joined the fight, assisting in tracking and recovering stolen livestock, including cross-border cases.
“As business people, we are working together with the police to make sure we assist in reducing stock theft in our district. So far, we continue recovering cattle even from across the border and we are winning the fight,” Chairperson of Business Against Stock Theft, Mr Maxwell Ngwenya said.
The Zimbabwe Republic Police confirmed sustained progress.
“We have drastically reduced stock theft cases by more than 50 percent as we are working together with community members, and we will continue employing different strategies to eradicate this problem,” Officer Commanding Beitbridge District, Chief Superintendent Mesuli Ncube said.
The development comes as Government steps up efforts to protect the national herd, currently estimated at 5.7 million cattle, as part of broader plans to grow the livestock sector.
