Farmers Cry Foul Over Stolen And Dead Cattle
“My wife and children sacrifice a lot of time looking after the livestock as it’s our only source of income.”
Monday 13 January 2025 | 10:48
Arif Hussein showing the remains of the bull in Labasa on January 12, 2025. Photo: Shratika Naidu/ Insert: The remains of Mr Ali’s bull.
Two cattle farmers in Labasa are devastated after having their cattle stolen and brutally killed, losing close to $10,000.
Distraught Arif Hussein of Valebasoga, Labasa, said he lost three bulls over the last two months of last year.
“The first theft of bull happened on November 29 then again on December 20 and 27 from my farm,” Mr Hussein said.
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The father of two said after each incident he reported the matter at the Labasa Police Station.
Three weeks after the initial report, he found remains of two dead bulls near his farm.
“When I saw the skin and intestine I could only cry because a live bull was killed brutally,” he said.
“My wife and children sacrifice a lot of time looking after the livestock as it’s our only source of income.”
The 39-year-old farmer said he suffered a loss of more than $6000.
“I hope the thief and heartless killer is found because my wife and I have sleepless nights watching over the animals,” he said.
“We have children who need to go back to school and we can’t afford to allow someone affect our business.”
Another farmer, Mahaboob Ali of Soasoa, Labasa, said his bull worth of $3000, went missing from Vulovi, Labasa on December 9.
“After three weeks, my son Munaf Ali found the bull’s skin in one of the mountains at Valebasoga, not far from Vulovi,” Mr Ali said.
“No religion encourages human beings to steal and kill; hence, we should respect each other.”
The 75-year-old grandfather has been a cattle farmer for more than 20 years; it is not the first time that someone has carried out the inhumane act on his cattle.
“We reported the matter at Labasa Police Station and had requested that the officers find the criminal so that he doesn’t deprive elderly farmers like me,” he said.
“I also do dairy business for living and such kind of loss hinders my source of income.”
Acting Divisional Police Commander (DPC) North Superintendent of Police (SP) Eroni Soqosoqo confirmed that Labasa Police Station has received Mr Ali and Mr Hussein’s reports and investigation was going on.
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