Stolen cattle recovered in Beatrice

MARONDERA- Police in Mashonaland East have recovered seven cattle believed to
have been stolen in Beatrice and are appealing to the public who might have lost
their livestock to come and identify them.
The police are saying that at an unknown date in January, Alois Mubaira
Rukambaire (35) of Village 3 in Beatrice stole seven cattle and took them to his
home.
He tied them to a tree.
Rukambaire allegedly sold two of the cattle to Gerald Muriva of Village 4, Tsunga on
January 10 before giving him one bullock for safe keeping. He also sold another one
to an undisclosed buyer.
In early March, he is reported to have driven two heifers to Masasa and gave them to
Luke Zhakata (41) for use and safe keeping.
Villagers who became suspicious of Rukambaire’s activities advised the village head
to take action against him and was summoned to explain the source of the cattle.
When asked to explain where he got the cattle from and provide police clearance, he
claimed to have been given the herd by his nephew only identified as Hope to sell.
The villagers then advised him to collect police clearance and summon his nephew.
Sensing danger, Rukambaire then disappeared and is still at large.
ZRP Beatrice was informed leading to the recovery of three cattle from Gerald
Muriva, two from Luke Zhakata and one steer at accused's home. All the recovered
cattle were left in the custody of a pound master for safe keeping.
Confirming the recovery, deputy provincial police spokesperson Assistant Inspector
Misheck Denhere appealed to those who might have lost their cattle to go to the
pound master for identification.
He said: “We are now appealing to those who are failing to locate their cattle to come
forward and identify the cattle that had been stolen by Rukambaire and recovered.
We are also appealing for information that might lead to the arrest of the accused
who is still at large.”