Goat theft gang arrested

Andile Tshuma, Chronicle Correspondent
POLICE have arrested four men for allegedly stealing 30 goats and five sheep from Kezi in Matabeleland South Province.

The gang struck at Sun Yet Sen Village and whisked the livestock away in a commuter omnibus.

Police arrested the suspects on Sunday after they had sold one of the goats to a Bulawayo resident who cooperated with police upon being questioned about the source of the animal.

The four were identified as Tinashe Masambu (25) and Milton Mlilo both from Old Pumula suburb, Meliwethu Maphosa (18) and Mbusi Dube (29) both from Iminyela suburb.

Bulawayo police spokesperson Inspector Abednico Ncube yesterday said eight of the goats have since been recovered while a hunt is on for the rest of the livestock.

“We arrested four people for stealing 30 goats and five sheep. They stole 16 goats from one person while 14 goats and five sheep were stolen from another. They took the goats and sheep in an unregistered kombi which was driven by the fourth accused, Mbusi Dube. The matter was reported at Sun Yet Sen police station,” said Inspector Ncube.

A Bulawayo resident bought one of the goats for R500 in Kelvin industrial area, at a place where goat herders usually sell their goats.

One of the complainants spotted the goat, approached the buyer and reported the matter to the police.

The first arrest was made when police accompanied the buyer to the place where he bought the goat, which led to the next arrest in Iminyela suburb.

“Police officers went to Old Pumula where they arrested the first accused (Masambu), and two others. The trio led the police officers to Iminyela suburb where the fourth accused was arrested,” he said.

“Police managed to recover eight live goats and two sheep as well as one carcass. Other goats are yet to be recovered as investigations are in progress. The four are currently detained at Western Commonage Police Station while investigations are in progress,” said Inspector Ncube.

Police have appealed to the public to desist from buying stolen property as they risked being arrested.

“We sternly warn members of the public against buying any stock or any property from the streets or anywhere without witnesses for they also risk being arrested for breaching the law. It is actually an offence to be found in possession of stolen property and one may face imprisonment. The relationship that exists between police and our Bulawayo community is highly commendable, hence most cases are accounted for,” said Inspector Ncube. -@andile_tshuma

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