Gwanda villagers axe neighbours’ cattle over grazing land

Dambashoko villagers claim they noticed wounds on their cattle and learnt that they had been axed by their neighbours.

RESETTLED villagers at Insindi Farm in Gwanda, Matabeleland South province, are in soup for allegedly impounding and axing cattle belonging to villagers from neighbouring Dambashoko.

Dambashoko villagers claim they noticed wounds on their cattle and learnt that they had been axed by their neighbours.

Gwanda North ward 2 councillor Zwelibanzi Mpofu confirmed the incident on Friday last week.

“This took place in Insindi, where they impounded the cattle and axed them. The cattle usually graze there, but this time, Insindi villagers terrorised them,” Mpofu said.

She said she is supposed to meet Dambashoko villagers on Wednesday to find a way to resolve the issue.

“They did not engage anyone concerning the cattle. What they did was they impounded cattle and just attacked them. The affected villagers had to sell the wounded beasts. They sold them at very low prices since there was no option,” Mpofu said.

The matter has since been reported to the police.

Dambashoko village head Themba Sibindi also confirmed the incident.

“Dambashoko villagers are distressed by the incident because cattle always graze in that area and if there was a problem, they should have at least considered confronting Dambashoko people,” Sibindi said.

Matabeleland South police spokesperson, Inspector Loveness Mangena said she was not in office when contacted.

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