The Siyabuswa SAPS has seized 26 goats with no brand marks in Kameelrivier B on Sunday January 15. Police urge owners of the seized livestock to urgently come forth and claim their own before the goats are forfeited to the state.
A provincial police spokesperson, Colonel Donald Mdhluli, said the police are always on high alert as numerous incidents stock theft have been reported.
“A report indicates that the police were busy with their routine patrols, when they spotted a white Toyota Quantum pulling a trailer which was fully loaded with the goats. The driver mentioned that the stock was transported by him to an auction, after being hired by the owners from four different households,” Mdhluli said in a media statement.
“According to the driver, the owners thereof opted to sell their stock out of fear that their animals could be stolen. As there was no proof of ownership, the police registered an inquiry docket, then seized the stock for further investigation,” he said.
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The Mpumalanga police commissioner, Lieutenant General Semakaleng Manamela, said the police regard stock theft as a serious crime and more efforts are made to resolve the issue.
Manamela advised farmers to brand mark their stock as it will be easy to identify once the animals are recovered.
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The police call on community members who might have lost their goats, to identify their stock at Mmamethlake SAPS or call the branch commander of Siyabuswa Stocktheft Unit, Lieutenant Colonel Freddy Sepogoane on 079 499 2015.
