The villagers said they live in fear of the marauding rustlers who, even after being arrested by the police, are quickly released under unclear circumstances. Last month, villagers lost about 52 cattle to the cattle rustlers, who were apprehended by the neighbourhood watch committee and handed over to the police.
The police charged three men with stock theft, but they were acquitted by the courts in unclear circumstances. Two of the alleged cattle rustlers, Bernard Moyo and Marko Siqhoza, who were acquitted last week are reportedly boasting that they will never be jailed.
During a committee meeting held last week at the homestead of the local headman, Joshua Ncube, and attended by The Zimbabwean, villagers resolved to petition the police to investigate the court officials.
“It is very depressing to see villagers losing their cattle only for the court officials in Plumtree to acquit the arrested cattle rustlers under unclear circumstances. They seem to be working in cahoots,” said headman Ncube.
Enock Dube, the chairman of the neighbourhood watch committee said: “We apprehended two of the thieves but I was surprised to see them roaming in the area boasting that they will never go to prison. If the Courts keep acquitting the thieves, we will be left with no option but to take the matter into our own hands. We cannot watch while cattle rustlers harass us.”
Norman Mpofu, the former legislator for the area said villagers had lost confidence in the justice system. “If the courts cannot protect them, who will? I have been to the police and some officers are saying they are also shocked at the release of the alleged rustlers.”
Cattle rustling carries a stiff penalty of nine years in jail per beast.
Post published in: News