By A Correspondent- Police have appealed for information that may help in their investigations to establish the circumstances in which hundreds of COVID-19 vaccination cards went missing at a rural health centre.

National police spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi said 250 COVID-19 vaccination cards went missing on Wednesday (yesterday) at Cheshuro Rural Health Centre located in Gutu District, Masvingo Province.

He said:

The ZRP is investigating circumstances in which 250 COVID-19 vaccination cards went missing at Cheshuro Rural Health Centre on 25/08/12 at 1200 noon. Anyone with information to contact any nearest Police Station.

Cases of theft of COVID-19 vaccination cards are on the rise after the government decided to deny certain services to members of the public who are not fully vaccinated.

The government recently allowed churches to resume in-person services but only for fully vaccinated congregants.

In addition, the government said restaurants can allow only fully vaccinated customers to sit in for meals.

Indications are that people who steal the cards intend to sell them to some members of the public who have been shunning vaccination on religious grounds and conspiracy theories.