Harare, (New Ziana) – Police have arrested two men suspected of cattle rustling in the Triangle area of Chiredzi district.

Elliot Hwende, 49, from Village 1 Crown Range, and Promise Njanjure, 52, of Plot 35 Mungwezi, were apprehended following a thorough investigation into a cattle theft incident.

On December 30, 2025, Neverson Moyo, 62 reported the theft of ten cattle from his pen. Police received a tip-off on January 3, 2026, indicating that five stolen cattle were located at Onisimo Chibwe’s homestead in Wasara village, Chief Neromwe. Upon interrogation, Chibwe claimed that Moyo had brought the cattle to him for safekeeping.

This led to Moyo’s subsequent arrest, during which he implicated Njanjure. When police visited Njanjure’s residence, they discovered an additional twenty-three cattle. Njanjure was unable to provide satisfactory explanation regarding the ownership of the animals and was arrested on the spot.

Victims of the cattle theft include Moyo, who identified six of his own cattle among those recovered, along with Joseph Mpofu, a resident of Village 6B Monyoroka, who recognized three of his cattle.

In total, 28 cattle were recovered, and authorities confirmed that the suspects could face up to 252 years in prison if convicted, as stock theft carries a mandatory nine-year sentence per count under the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act, Chapter 9:23.

Inspector Kudakwashe Dhewa, Masvingo Provincial Police Spokesperson, commended the public for their cooperation, which was instrumental in the arrests and recovery of the livestock. He urged residents who may have lost cattle in the Triangle area to report to the nearest police station, assuring them that police efforts to combat stock theft would continue diligently throughout the Province.

New Ziana