Matabeleland Police Concerned Over Stock Theft and Illegal Beef Sales

ZRP in Matabeleland has expressed concern over stock theft reports particularly in Bulilima, Plumtree, Mangwe and Figtree The Chronicle reports. The police also expressed concern over illegal beef markets as they believe the beasts are being slaughtered in the bush and the meat is harvested for sale in some parts of the province.

Speaking to the publication, Matabeleland South provincial police spokesperson Chief Inspector Philisani Ndebele said:

As police we are concerned about cases of stocktheft which have become rampant whereby the culprits steal the beasts, slaughter them in the bush and leave the carcasses there.These cases are being recorded mostly in Plumtree, Bulilima, Figtree and Mangwe areas.

We suspect that these culprits take this meat and supply people or places that sell beef unofficially. These points become a ready market for stock theft suspects. We appeal to members of the public that might see people selling beef to alert us. People should also desist from buying meat from these people as some of the animals would have been stolen.

Stock theft is a serious offence in Zimbabwe and anyone found guilty may be imprisoned for 9 years.

More: The Chronicle