Residents of Gwanda North have established the Gwanda Anti-Stock Theft Association (Gasta) in response to rising livestock theft that has left communities living in fear and threatened their livelihoods.
The association was launched in Mzimuni following growing concerns over the theft of cattle, donkeys, goats and chickens in areas including Starnmore, Polite, Mahlokohloko and Manonkwe.
Residents said stock thieves were increasingly breaking into homesteads and cattle kraals at night, with some allegedly threatening livestock owners with violence.
Manonkwe resident Roda Dube said the situation was particularly worrying because some suspected thieves were known to residents.
“A thief entered my home and stole my livestock,” Dube said.
“What hurt me most was that it was my neighbour. We are struggling because we live alongside thieves, while some of them sell beef in chunks.”
She said the presence of unfamiliar people in the community had made it difficult to identify and deal with suspected criminals.
Another resident, Collet Ndlovu, said lost cattle, commonly known as “Amatimela”, were also at risk of being taken by thieves.
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Gasta chairman responsible for diaspora affairs, Victor Vodloza Sibanda, said the formation of local structures was important because livestock remains a major source of wealth for many families.
“People in Gwanda North have been complaining that their livestock is being taken every day and they need Gasta’s assistance to reduce and eventually end stock theft,” Sibanda said.
He said the local leadership included young people, older people and women, adding that Gasta would provide them with knowledge to protect livestock.
“We cannot allow Mzimuni to become a place where thieves operate openly in broad daylight,” he said.
Each village selected seven people to assist the local leadership in tackling stock theft.
Matabeleland South Anti-Stock Theft Association chairman Priviledge Ntizhila said the formation of Gasta had given residents hope after years of struggling to contain stock theft.
“The opening of Gasta has given them renewed hope because they know that Gasta can wipe away their tears,” Ntizhila said.
He said allowing communities to select their own leadership would give residents a greater sense of ownership in fighting stock theft.
Gwanda Rural District Council treasurer and Gasta supporter councillor Mphathiswa Ncube said livestock theft was undermining development.
“Development starts at home, grows into the community and then into the wider area.
“Thieves put up barriers by stealing, and if we look at the bigger picture, this undermines development everywhere,” Ncube said.
He said some elderly residents were struggling to meet school expenses because their livestock was being stolen.
Gasta said it would work closely with police because the association does not have powers to arrest suspects.
It has also developed links with Botswana through efforts to recover livestock stolen from that country and return it to its owners.
Apart from fighting stock theft, Gasta assists women facing abuse and campaigns against drug abuse in communities.
The launch comes as stock theft remains a major concern for farmers in communities bordering Botswana, where cross-border livestock movements have heightened the need for cooperation between residents and law-enforcement agencies.
