Nkosentsha Khumalo
Brunette Tshuma
In a touching gesture of gratitude, farmers from Matabeleland South and North provinces, as well as the outskirts of Bulawayo, yesterday flocked to Ross Camp Police Station to thank Mr Shepherd Ncube, a humble gardener turned neighborhood watch member, for his heroic stand against livestock thieves.
The Matabeleland farming community poured in with contributions in cash and kind to express their heartfelt thanks to the courageous Ncube, who refused to let go of the cattle thieves’ van despite after having been hit with an axe on the face.
In recognition of his bravery, Ncube received a generous donation of US$765, R5 360, US$270 sent through mobile money transfer platform EcoCash, ZWG270 in local currency, and meat worth US$50.
Ncube was also awarded with a certificate of bravery by the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP).
Farmers from the furthest reaches of the Matabeleland area such as Kezi, Nkayi, Nyamandlovu, Esigodini and more gathered together at Ross Camp Police Station to show their gratitude for Ncube’s courage.
In an act of extraordinary courage, Shepherd Ncube, the 38-year-old gardener from Bellevue, Bulawayo, reportedly clung onto the canopy of a moving truck carrying five stolen cattle carcasses.
His heroic effort to stop the thieves from getting away came at a personal cost as he was struck on the mouth with an axe when he demanded to see the necessary documentation authorizing the transportation of the five stolen cattle carcasses, worth an estimated US$2 250.
Despite his injuries, Ncube refused to let go of the truck’s canopy, clinging on for several minutes until other community members arrived to assist him in detaining the suspected thieves.
Thanks to Ncube’s courage, police were able to apprehend Bhekilizwe Nyathi (43), who was allegedly involved in the theft.
Bulawayo police spokesperson Inspector Abednico Ncube had confirmed the incident, explaining that Ncube became suspicious of the vehicle after noticing it parked outside his workplace.
His bravery led him to approach the vehicle and confront the suspected thieves, even in the face of danger.
Speaking on the incident, Inspector Ncube said that Shepherd became aware of the suspicious vehicle at around 11am on August 26.
The informant, Shepherd Ncube, noticed a blue Mazda pick-up van with a white canopy parked outside the yard at his workplace.
Moving closer to investigate the suspiciously parked vehicle, Ncube engaged the driver in conversation. It was at this point that he made the shocking discovery of five cattle carcasses loaded into the truck’s loading box.
Instead of cooperating with the brave gardener, the accused reportedly offered a bribe in exchange for Ncube’s silence.
Refusing to be bought off, Ncube’s continued interrogation led to one of the accused striking him with the back of an axe.
The blow was intended to intimidate the heroic gardener into backing off, but his resolve remained strong.
According to Police spokesperson Inspector Ncube, “Shepherd demanded to see documents which authorised transportation of meat.
“The other two accused in the car then attempted to persuade Ncube to accept a bribe so as not to raise alarm, but he refused.”
Ncube’s refusal to be silenced and his determination to see justice done ultimately resulted in the capture of the suspected thieves and the recovery of the stolen cattle carcasses.
“His heroic actions not only prevented a crime, but also showcased the importance of standing up for what is right, even in the face of danger,” said Inspector Ncube.
Unwilling to let the thieves escape, Ncube took hold of the steering wheel, effectively immobilizing the vehicle.
The driver, now desperate to flee, responded with violence. He pulled out an axe and struck Ncube once on the mouth with the back of the axe, forcing him to release the steering wheel.
Undaunted, Ncube made a daring move. He jumped onto the loading box of the van as it sped off, clinging onto the canopy and shouting for assistance.
The suspected thieves made a frantic attempt to flee the scene with Shepherd Ncube still clinging onto the back of their van, but the gardener’s cries for help alerted nearby residents.
The brave gardener’s cries for assistance galvanized the community, who gave chase after the fleeing van for several kilometers until it finally ran out of fuel.
With their vehicle immobilized, the accused attempted to run away on foot, but their efforts were thwarted by the determined residents.
Bhekilizwe Nyathi, a 43-year-old man from Nkayi but residing in Nkulumane 12, was apprehended by the residents who had given chase after the stolen cattle carcasses.
The residents then delivered Nyathi, along with the five stolen cattle carcasses and the van, to the local police station.
Nyathi was arrested and charged with cattle theft, and the stolen carcasses were recovered.
Upon further investigation, police discovered that the stolen cattle carcasses bore the brand mark ME1, indicating that they originated from Hope Fountain ward 1 village.
This crucial piece of information allowed the police to track down the owner of the slaughtered cattle and inform them of the incident.
Showing his gratitude yesterday, Commissioner Dr Wiklef Makamache of the Bulawayo Metropolitan province, lauded Mr Ncube’s bravery, remarking, “Through dedication, resilience and alertness, Mr Shepherd Ncube became a central figure for his act of bravery in the recovery of five stolen carcasses.”
The Commissioner went on to emphasize the importance of the neighborhood watch committee, stating, “The neighborhood watch committee, where Mr Ncube falls under, is an arm and an offspring that arose from one of our contemporary policing initiatives for the formation of a strong joint venture between the police and members of the public in fighting crime in Bulawayo.”
“With his heroic actions, Mr Ncube embodied the spirit and ethos of the neighborhood watch committee, proving the vital role it plays in community safety. His courage not only prevented a crime but also served as an inspiration for others to take a stand against criminality.”
“Stock theft is a pernicious crime, jeopardizing the very foundation of agricultural livelihoods,” said Commissioner Makamache.
Reflecting on the events that unfolded on August 27, 2024, Dr Makamache highlighted the multitude of possible responses Mr Ncube could have chosen, from turning a blind eye to accepting a bribe, or even participating in the crime.
“Others could have deliberately avoided the risk while others could have gone for a bribe or just joined the perpetrators as accomplices but for our own hero, regardless of the offensive physical actions of the suspects, he remained resolute to fight criminality,” he said.
The farmers’ representative, Mr Jairos Mahlangu, emphasized the devastating impact of cattle rustling on all farmers, regardless of their location, and praised Mr Ncube for his bravery in the face of the crisis.
Mr Mahlangu, a renowned Brahman cattle breeder, spoke on behalf of the farmers, noting that the collective gratitude towards Mr Ncube by farmers from three provinces serves as a powerful testament to the gravity of cattle rustling as a threat to the agricultural community.
“Sometimes cases of cattle rustling occur right in front of the eyes of community members who see trucks carrying stolen cattle drive around in dusty trails in their communities at night but they choose to say or do nothing,” he said.
“Our appeal as farmers is for community members to report suspected cases of cattle rustling because that is the right thing to do. “We applaud Mr Ncube for his bravery on that day, a selfless act that resulted in stolen carcasses being recovered and a suspect arrested,”said Mr Mahlangu.
Zim GBC News ©2024