Police arrest Thyolo chief over cattle rustling

There were chaotic scenes at Village Head Mphedzu in Thyolo during the Easter weekend when angry villagers bayed for the blood of Group Village Head (GVH) Mponda in Traditional Authority (T/A) Bvumbwe on suspicion that he was behind  a series criminal acts.

The rumour mill in the area linked the traditional leader to acts of thievery and hooliganism until last Friday when he was found with four head of cattle in his kraal suspected to have been stolen from different villagers.

Limbe Police Station deputy spokesperson Pedzesai Zembeneko and Mphedzu, in whose jurisdiction GVH Mponda lives, confirmed the development in separate interviews yesterday.

Mphedzu said in a telephone interview that angry villagers stormed the chief’s home on Friday evening after owner of one of the four stolen head of cattle traced it to the suspect’s kraal.

Explained Mphedzu: “There have been reports of his involvement in several acts of crime, but because of his status as chief, people were playing it down until last Friday when he was caught with four stolen head of cattle.

“What actually happened was that the owner of the cattle discovered that his livestock was missing, so he started following its footprints until he found it in GVH Mponda’s kraal. When the chief was interrogated on how the cattle were found with him, he said somebody had brought it to him, but failed to give a convincing explanation, that was the beginning of trouble.”

He said when news spread about the matter; other villagers also went to the place where they managed to spot from the kraal their three head of cattle, which were reportedly stolen in February.

Zembeneko said the 55-year-old GVH, whose real name is Kingsley Taimu, was charged with theft of cattle and is expected to appear before the court once investigations are over.

Meanwhile, all the three head of cattle have been returned to the owner amid growing fury from the villagers who have demanded an immediate removal of the GVH, currently under police custody at Bvumbwe, from the area.