Taking into account that theft of livestock is not seen as just another theft of property, often even small numbers of livestock represent the livelihood of families and their means to sustain themselves, hence SAPS views Stock Theft in a very serious manner.
Through intelligence gathered by Elliot Stock Theft Unit, a 30-year-old suspect was tracked and arrested in KwaZulu-Natal on Friday, 27 July 2018. It is alleged that Stock Theft Unit members, Lt Col Madlongolwana, Capt Sitole and Sgt Dingayo received and followed up information on twenty five (25) Bonsmara calves that were suspected to have be stolen at Maclear and at the time the owner was not known. According to the information, the calves were conveyed with a white Tata truck registration number NCW 13985.
The members immediately contacted Kokstad Stock Theft Unit and requested them to stop the truck but it had already passed their area. Mzimkhulu Stock Theft Unit was then contacted and they managed to stop the truck while Elliot members were enroute. Upon arrival, the driver was questioned about the stock in his truck. The driver indicated that the stock belongs to the passenger who had hired the truck from their boss. The passenger was questioned but failed to give a satisfactory explanation about the stock and he was arrested immediately and charged for possession of suspected stolen stock. He will appear in the Mzimkhulu Magistrate’s Court today, 30 July 2018. Another case of stock theft has been open at Maclear SAPS. Investigation is also ongoing to link suspect to other stock theft cases in the Elliot and surrounding policing area astern Cape and KwaZulu-Natal.
All the calves has been identified by the lawful owner.
Eastern Cape Provincial Commissioner, Lt Gen Liziwe Ntshinga commended the members for tracking and arresting the suspect. “The relentless efforts by the members in tracking and arresting the suspect are impressive. The arrest is meeting the organisational objections of the SAPS and the expectations of the communities we serve and will also send a strong message to stock thieves that we mean business”, said Lt General Ntshinga.
