Cattle rustlers slaughter three cattle, abandon loot

Silobela (New Ziana) – A group of cattle rustlers in the Midlands Province is on the run after it was intercepted by police with suspected stolen meat, police have said.

The group is suspected to have slaughtered three cattle at a farm in Silobela, but abandoned the loot after the truck they were traveling in suffered a tyre puncture while fleeing from police.

Midlands police spokesperson, Emmanuel Mahoko said the gang was intercepted after police received a tip-off from members of the public.

After a chase, the group abandoned its vehicle with the loot, and is still on the run.

“Police swiftly reacted (after the tip), spotted the motor vehicle and followed it. The driver noticed that they were being pursued and increased speed. After pursuing it for about 25 kilometres, the vehicle developed a tyre puncture. The occupants then stopped the vehicle and ran away into a thick bush leaving their vehicle idling,” Mahoko said.

Police searched the vehicle and discovered five sacks full of meat which were stuffed inside the boot. The meat was weighed and found to be 361.24 kilograms.

New Ziana