The Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) has arrested 5,780 people under its nationwide Operation “Stock Thief Hot Pursuit”, recovering 117 cattle, 31 goats and 23 donkeys as authorities intensify efforts to combat livestock theft and related offences.

In a statement issued on Thursday, police said the operation, which began on October 1, had resulted in 86 arrests for stock theft, while 5,694 people were arrested for other stock-related offences as of October 14.

Harare recorded the highest number of arrests, with 1,860 people apprehended, followed by Mashonaland Central with 604 and Mashonaland West with 701.

Mashonaland East recorded 481 arrests, while Manicaland had 445, Masvingo 418 and the Midlands 391.

Matabeleland South recorded 244 arrests, Matabeleland North had 100, while Bulawayo recorded 536.

The police also recovered substantial quantities of meat during the operation, including 1,554 kilogrammes of beef, 102.5 kilogrammes of chicken, 160 kilogrammes of fish, 21.5 kilogrammes of goat meat and 31 kilogrammes of pork.

Other recovered items included three kilogrammes of trotters, three road runners, seven kilogrammes of mince meat and two kilogrammes of sausages.

Police said 5,698 offenders paid deposit fines, 56 were sent to court and 25 were detained, while one person was released into the custody of their parents.

The ZRP reiterated that the movement of cattle and other livestock at night is prohibited and urged members of the public to report suspicious livestock movements.

The operation is part of police efforts to curb livestock theft and other related offences across the country.