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Elizabeth Tsuro, Midlands Reporter
STOCK theft cases in the Midlands have declined by 63 percent with 639 head of cattle stolen this year compared to last year’s 1,742.

Speaking at the re-launch of the cattle branding scheme in Mberengwa  recently, the Officer Commanding Midlands Province Senior Assistant Commissioner Abigail Moyo said police arrested nearly 100 rustlers.

“I’m pleased with these statistics.

“Our records show that 96 cattle rustlers were arrested in the province this year and this is a confirmation that the community and the police are effectively joining hands to reduce crime,” she said.

Senior Asst Comm Moyo urged livestock farmers to take seriously the issue of cattle branding.

She said branding allowed stray cattle owners to easily identify their beasts using unique brand names and numbers.

“Livestock in our country is a source of wealth and I would like us to continue guarding our cattle jealously,” she said.

The ZRP cattle branding system will see farmers issued with branding certificates which are fed into a computerised system.

This, said Senior Asst Comm Moyo, makes  it easy to locate real owners of stray or stolen cattle at the touch of a button, anywhere in the country.