Mwanachingwala bans headmen from clearing livestock

Mwanachingwala bans headmen from clearing livestock
Written by Henry Chibulu in Mazabuka
Monday, April 20, 2009 4:35:57 AM

CHIEF Mwanachingwala of Mazabuka in Southern Province has with immediate effect banned all village headmen in his chiefdom from clearing livestock because of their involvement in cattle rustling.

Village headmen are required by law to certify animals bought from their respective villages by signing a Police stock movement permit as a requirement for cattle traders before the animals are taken to the Police station for final clearance.

But chief Mwanachingwala told ZANIS in Mazabuka on Saturday that he had taken such a stance because cases of cattle rustling were rife in his chiefdom and some village headmen were allegedly conniving with cattle rustlers to clear suspected stolen animals.

He said he would instead handle the clearing of livestock.

The traditional leader said this would be done to reduce the high cases of cattle rustling in his chiefdom.

He said it was sad that traditional rulers who were supposed to be the custodian of laws were working hand in hand to steal from the poor.

Chief Mwanachingwala attributed this to poverty.

Magoye member of parliament, Bennie Mweemba equally registered serious concern over the rampant reports of cattle rustling in his constituency.

Mweemba instead accused Police of not doing enough to curb the rising cases of cattle rustling because some officers were involved in selling cattle.