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Nqobile Tshili, Chronicle Correspondent     
THE country has recorded a two percent increase in stock theft cases in the first three months of the year as compared to the same period last year, the Minister of State for Provincial Affairs in Matabeleland North, Cde Cain Mathema, has said.

The minister revealed this yesterday at the provincial re-launch of personal branding in Tsholotsho.

Between January and March this year, 2,420 stock theft cases were recorded compared to 2,349 incidents recorded in the same period in 2015.

The Minister said Matabeleland North province recorded a 21 percent decrease in stock theft cases.

“The Zimbabwe Republic Police Matabeleland North provincial command has briefed me that the ZRP recorded 2,420 cases of stock theft during the period January to March 2016 as compared to 2,349 cases reported in the same period in 2015 giving an increase of two percent countrywide,” said Cde Mathema.

He said 234 cattle were stolen in Matabeleland North between January and March as compared to 297 the previous year.

“However, I’m reliably informed that there was a notable decrease in both the number of cases and the number of stolen cattle in Matabeleland North. Between January and March 2016 the province recorded 234 cases as compared to 297 cases reported in the same period in 2015 giving a 21 percent decrease. There was also a marginal decrease in the number of stolen cattle where 139 cattle were stolen in the period January and March 2016 as compared to the same period in 2015, giving a 31 percent decrease,” Cde Mathema said.

The Minister said the police require cooperation from everyone, the business community, farmers and general public in fighting stock theft.
He expressed concern over an upsurge in theft of goats in the province.

“I’m reliably informed that an increase in goat theft cases was noted by the province. A total of 209 goats were stolen from January to March 2016 as compared to 65 goats stolen from January to March 2015 which translate to a 69 percent increase,” said Cde Mathema.

Speaking at the same event, the officer commanding operations in Matabeleland North, Assistant Commissioner Daniel Chimwaza urged farmers to embrace branding as police had noted that 95 percent of stolen cattle were not branded.

He also encouraged farmers to put ear tags on their goats so that they can be easily traceable.

Asst Comm Chimwaza reiterated that the police were lobbying for the government to make it a criminal offence to own livestock without personal branding by December.