Cattle thefts ravage Shezongo chiefdom

TRADITIONAL leaders in Shezongo Chiefdom in ITezhi Tezhi district in Central Province have appealed to Government to consider deploying police officers in the area to curb cattle thefts. Headman Maanzula   made the call when Chiefs and Traditional Affairs Minister Lawrence Sichalwe visited his chiefdom yesterday. Headman Maanzula said Shezongo chiefdom especially in Mbila has witnessed cattle thefts from criminals who possess illegal guns. “We have lost lives because cattle thieves that have guns to kill people and if you report the matter to police and are identified, then they come at night and shoot you,” Headman Maanzula said. Headman Maanzula said just this week, 10 heads of cattle were stolen from a farmer and the criminals are moving scot-free. The Headman appealed to government to deploy officers to the area since a police post building was already built and only requires staff. In response Minister of Chiefs and Traditional affairs Lawrence Sichalwe said that issues of deployment of police were simple issues that an area Member of Parliament can do by interacting with Minister of Home Affairs. He however said that he will report the matter to Home Affairs Minister Stephen Kapyongo. – ZANIS. The Sun