Operation against illegal meat vending nets 3 000

Zim Now Writer

Over 3 000 people have been arrested countrywide for stock theft-related crimes during police’s “Operation No to Illegal Meat Vending” that began on February 27 and ended on March 12.

Several suspects were in the habit of slaughtering stolen livestock at owners’ farms, before transporting the meat for resale at shopping centres and illegal food outlets.

The head of the police Anti-Stock Theft Unit, Assistant Commissioner Ezekiel Munengerwa, said the crackdown has also helped in ensuring butcheries and food outlets are fully licensed.

“We have managed to arrest a total of 3 165 people for stock theft-related crimes and 33 people for stock theft during the operation. Forty-seven cattle and nine goats were recovered during the operation across the country.

“It is a criminal offence for any meat outlet to sell meat that has not been processed at a registered slaughterhouse, inspected and certified fit for human consumption,” said Asst Comm Munengerwa.

Beef weighing 2 162 kilogrammes, 169kg of pork, 315kg of chicken and 109kg of goat meat were condemned by health inspectors during the operation.

In addition, 84 butcheries and 107 illegal food outlets were closed for failing to meet standards.

Asst Comm Munengerwa pleaded with meat operators to abide by the law.

“Those involved in the meat and livestock industry should religiously adhere to the rules governing the livestock and meat industry, as well as procedures, when clearing and transporting livestock from one place to another,” he said.