Shock As Two Women, Teen Arrested For Stock Theft, Caught Skinning Cattle

A stunning scene unfolded in a quiet village this week as police arrested two women and a teenage boy for the brazen theft of cattle. According to the Zimbabwe Republic Police, the trio was allegedly caught in the act, skinning beasts they had just slaughtered. The involvement of women in such a serious agricultural crime has been described as exceptionally rare.

The suspects were identified as Prisca Sithole (34), Cathrine Sibanda (29), and a 16-year-old male. Their alleged participation challenges the typical profile of stock theft offenders.

The Criminal Law Code stipulates a mandatory minimum sentence for such offences. For the theft of cattle under the circumstances described by police, the law is clear:

“If the stock theft involved any bovine or equine animal stolen in the circumstances described in paragraph (a) or (b)… [the offender is liable] to imprisonment for a period of not less than nine years or more than twenty-five years.”
This means that if convicted, the accused could face a prison term of no less than nine years, with limited options for suspending the sentence.

Accomplices Still At Large
Police confirmed that three other suspects are on the run. The presence of a getaway car suggests organised planning.