The Zimbabwe Republic Police’s National Anti-Stock Unit (NASTU) has embarked on a drive to eradicate cruelty to animals by humans.

This has resulted in the Unit organizing a one-day workshop with the Veterinarians for Animals Welfare Zimbabwe (VAWZ), which was attended by sixty members drawn from all provinces, districts and stations.

Speaking during the official opening of the workshop at the University of Zimbabwe, the National

Co-odinator Anti-Stock Theft Unit, Senior Assistant Commissioner Erasmus Makodza, said the workshop was a response to the high levels of cruelty to animals around the country.

“It is worthy to note that this workshop is in response to the high levels of cruelty being perpetrated by humans on animals. Among other acts, we have witnessed mixing of different species of livestock in trucks. Cattle, goats, sheep and even birds are sometimes transported together. Some of the smaller species are injured or killed in the process. I am hopeful that this workshop will give participants some form of self-direction when dealing with cases of animal welfare” said Senior Assistant Commissioner Makodza.

Senior Assistant Commissioner Makodza said NASTU has a crucial role in ensuring that the government’s Zimbabwe Agenda for Sustainable Socio-Economic Transformation (ZIM-ASSET) Cluster on Food Security and Nutrition was a success.

“May I bring to the attention of participants the crucial role that the ZRP has to play in support of government initiatives with particular reference to the ZIM-ASSET blue print. The Anti-Stock Theft Unit is seized with ensuring that this ZIM-ASSET Cluster on Food Security and Nutrition succeeds. It is our duty to ensure that livestock of whatever kind is protected and more so we have an obligation to guarantee the growth of the national herd as espoused in the ZIM-ASSET blue print,” he said.

The workshop covered among other subjects, animal welfare- five freedoms, changing world concept on animal welfare, prevention of cruelty to animal welfare, livestock transportation, humane slaughter of animals, impounding of stray animals, welfare issues including strays, dog bites, rabies and puppy vendors.