Chantel Takudzwa Zamburika
Two Bulawayo men who are cattle rustlers, were not so lucky as the long arm of the law caught up with them.
Acting police Spokesperson for Bulawayo Province Assistant Inspector Nomalanga Msebele confirmed the arrest of Ngonidzashe Manyanya and Ashley Moyo.
Ngonidzashe Manyanya, aged (38) of Nkulumane 12 Bulawayo and Ashley Moyo (26), who claimed to be just a passenger in the vehicle used to transport the stolen beast, are in the custody of the police.
Investigations are underway in search of Manyanya’s accomplice, Ast. Insp. Msebele said.
The crime was conducted at a local farm around Lower Range in the city.
Emganwini residents smelled a rat after noticing an unfamiliar silver Honda Fit vehicle which was unusually loaded and was struggling to move due to the heavy load.
The suspicious residents immediately blew the whistle leading to the suspects’ Manyanya and Moyo’s arrest.
ZRP conducted search in the car. They recovered a black satchel with blood stained t-shirt, trousers and two knives. They also found two cattle carcass stuffed inside the boot and the passenger seating compartment.
Upon interrogation the accused persons told the police that they stole two cows slaughtered them and carried them using the Honda Fit. They also disclosed that they had left their accomplice at the crime scene waiting for the two to return. The police escorted the two to the crime scene and the accomplice had fled the scene.
Ast. Insp. Msebele urges farmers and their herd boys, to guard their livestock. Herd boys around Lower Range to guard their livestock from rustlers and those who have their missing cattle to report to ZRP Donnington for possible identification of their cattle.
Police are also appealing to the public to assist with information that may lead to the arrest of the unidentified accused who is on the run.
Meanwhile, Constantino Chiwenga who doubles as Vice President and Minister of Health and Child Care introduced operation nyama yabvepi/ inyama ivela ngaphi which was introduced on the 20th of December 2022. This operation was set to curb the selling of uninspected meat and many have been arrested and other butcheries have been closed.