Tinotenda Hove – Police have arrested a local businessman and two other men in connection with the theft of a bull belonging to a 75-year-old woman in the Watsomba area.

Reports from Diamond FM state that the suspects are Farai Patika (45), who owns a butchery at Watsomba Business Centre, Takunda Banda (29), and Dunnmore Kahlari (32). The trio is accused of stealing a bull owned by Jannet Nyamafene.

Nyamafene reported the matter to the police after discovering that her bull had been taken from her kraal during the night by unknown individuals.

Investigations took a turn after police received an anonymous tip-off indicating that the stolen animal was tied near one of the suspects’ homesteads. Officers later recovered a black bull tied to a tree about 100 metres from Takunda Banda’s home.

Police also discovered several animal bones in the vicinity, raising suspicions that the area had been used as a slaughter point. This find linked the suspects to other suspected stock theft incidents in the area.

Takunda Banda, who works as a domestic worker, was arrested first and allegedly led police to the other suspects. His statements resulted in the arrest of butchery owner Farai Patika, who in turn implicated Dunnmore Kahlari.

Authorities say the suspects are being investigated for additional cases involving cattle that were reportedly slaughtered and deboned. The recovered bull was positively identified by its owner.