Department holds anti-stock theft operation
With livestock theft on the rise in the province, the MEC for the Department of Community Safety, Security and Liaison, Vusi Shongwe, has called on livestock owners to always ensure that their animals are appropriately branded in order to reduce theft.
He was speaking after a weeklong operation conducted by the department, which worked closely with the SAPS and other law enforcement agencies, including the local community policing forums.
Last week’s operation targeted hotspots Tjakastad, Mayflower, Josephson, Balfour, Belfast, Elukwatini, Fernie, Dullstroom, Low’s Creek and Sundra, among others.
Shongwe said failure by owners to brand animals will make it difficult for them to successfully recover the livestock. He mentioned that once thieves get hold of unmarked cattle, goats or sheep, they put their own marks and later sell this livestock to unsuspecting butchery owners, livestock auctions or private individuals.
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“Livestock owners must play their part and help the police to eradicate livestock theft. This will only happen if they look after their livestock and also by employing herdboys,” the MEC added.
He called on livestock owners and farmers to unite against crime as this would assist in getting information that will prevent livestock theft.
Shongwe further appealed to auctioning companies and butchery owners to always ensure they buy cattle from actual owners.
He emphasised that in cases in which they suspect theft, they should immediately notify the police.
As part of the efforts to track stolen livestock, the team also visited auctions in Belfast, Dullstroom and Ermelo. Among other challenges identified was that stolen cattle end up in the Kingdom of eSwatini and Mozambique.
“This possesses a huge challenge and hardship for many families, as they depend on subsistence farming for living,” emphasised Shongwe.
