By Naledi Dube
Police in Masvingo Province have arrested two men in connection with a cattle rustling case in Triangle, resulting in the recovery of 28 head of cattle.
The suspects, Elliot Hwende (49) of Village One, Crown Range in Triangle, and Promise Njanjure (52) of Plot 35, Mungwezi in Chiredzi, are facing charges of contravening Section 114 of the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act [Chapter 9:23].
The case came to light on 30 December 2025, when Neverson Moyo (62) of Village Basi, Triangle, reported the disappearance of ten cattle he had penned the previous day.
On 3 January 2026, police received a tip-off that five suspected stolen cattle were being kept at a homestead in Wasara Wasara Village, under Chief Neromwe in Chiredzi. Investigations revealed that the cattle had allegedly been brought there by Hwende for safekeeping.
Hwende was arrested the following day and implicated Njanjure. Acting on this information, police proceeded to Njanjure’s homestead, where 23 cattle were found penned. Njanjure reportedly failed to account for the cattle and was subsequently arrested.
During the identification process, Moyo positively identified six of his stolen cattle, while another complainant, Joseph Mpofu of Village 6B Monyoroka in Triangle, identified three cattle as his.
Masvingo Provincial Police spokesperson Inspector Kudakwashe Dhewa confirmed the arrests and said the recovery of the livestock was made possible through cooperation from members of the public, whose information led to the apprehension of the suspects.