POLICE in Bulawayo have shot and injured a suspected cattle
rustler after he ignored orders from the law enforcement agents to stop.
The injured suspect was rushed to a local hospital in the
city where he is recovering. National police spokesman Assistant Commissioner
Paul Nyathi confirmed the incident.
Asst Comm Nyathi said it has become modus operandi for
cattle rustlers to stash a stolen carcass under firewood and masquerade as
firewood poachers.
He added that Pumula had become a hot spot for stock theft
as cattle from neighbouring villages stray into the suburb, where criminals
involved in cattle rustling pounce on the animals.
Most of the meat from the stolen beasts is sold in
Bulawayo.
“This shooting incident involves a suspect who was
transporting firewood and refused to stop. He drove away and, in the process,
there was a chase and unfortunately police had to fire some shots. He got
injured and is admitted to a local hospital,” said Asst Comm Nyathi.
“People should not steal firewood and should not engage in
criminal activities and must not flee from police officers. They must not try
to evade police check points and must follow the normal procedures. It’s really
unfortunate but at the end of the day the police have to do their work. The
public should just appreciate that no one should engage in criminal
activities.”
Asst Comm Nyathi sad police officers fired warning shots as
per procedure, however the suspect did not heed the call to stop.
“So far we have established that this person was found
carrying firewood and that firewood was illegally taken from the Pumula
surroundings. Police officers fired warning shots, but he did not stop, so they
had to do their job.
“Remember last week we had another incident where city of
Bulawayo rangers were involved in a shootout with firewood poachers and
possibly stock theft suspects. That area is becoming notorious for criminal
acts,” said Asst Comm Nyathi. Chronicle
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