Members of the Stock Theft and Endangered species unit (STES) continued efforts to prevent and detect stolen stock yielded successful.
Over the weekend, the Maluti STES unit that works across district borders conducted an intelligence driven operation. Members visited the Qumbu municipality stock pound with the complainants, and 28 cattle were positively identified by 4 different complainants.
They also conducted a stock raid at Gxaku locality near Mount Fletcher and recovered 10 stolen cattle that were found abandoned. The complainant also positively identified his cattle.
In all these cases, the animals could be handed over to lawful owners due to proper brand marks that were visible and assisted the SAPS in the investigation.
The Joe Gqabi District Commissioner Major General Lindelwa Vellem commended the unit on the recoveries of the cattle as stock theft is a priority crime in the area of Mount Fletcher.