By Delicious Mathuthu
Gweru – Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) officers on patrol intercepted a gang of suspected stock thieves carrying a slaughtered beast carcass in a Honda Fit along Shurugwi road just outside the Central Business District.
The incident occurred at the Claybank traffic circle (roundabout) at around 0030 hours.
A police report says a patrol team from ZRP Gweru Traffic police was conducting random stops and checks along the road when a black Honda Fit car with registration number ACS 4646 arrived, the occupants panicked and tried to escape by making a sudden turn.
“As the police approached the vehicle, it made a sudden stop and the occupants including the driver swiftly disembarked and bolted away in different directions leaving the motor vehicle behind,” Midlands Police Spokesperson Inspector Emmanuel Mahoko said.
A search of the vehicle revealed a carcass of a brown cow wrapped in a black plastic paper and slaughtering tools.
“Police officers conducted a search on the motor vehicle and discovered a carcass of a brown cow wrapped in a black plastic paper.
“A green speed MTB bicycle, some dirty clothes and shoes placed on top of the carcass; Some apparatus which were used to slaughter the cow were also recovered which include a black handled knife, a pliers and a home-made axe,” Inspector Mahoko said.
Further police investigations identified the Honda Fit driver as one Taison Chakanyuka, a 30-year-old man from Mtapa suburb in Gweru.
He was operating the vehicle as a taxi along the Gweru-Woodlands high-density suburb route, police said.
Police have appeled for public assistance with information that may lead to finding Chakanyuka and his three, yet to be identified, accomplices.
