The owner of approximately 80 cows is breathing a sigh of relief after his stolen cattle were recovered in a veld in Venterspos on Tuesday, November 8.
This comes after an unknown number of suspects reportedly pounced on his farm situated between Koksrus in Randfontein and Venterspos in Westonaria, attacked his herdsmen and took off with herds of cattle in different directions.
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Speaking to the Herald in an interview, owner of the cattle Koena Mpati said the suspects went onto his farm and tried shooting at herdsmen.
“I received a call from one of my herdsmen who alerted me about the incident. He informed me that the suspects entered the property and started shooting but fortunately no one was harmed. I then decided to contact the Stock Theft Information Centre (STIC) for assistance in the case,” said Mpati who was in Cape Town at the time of the incident.
The estimated value of the cattle is more than R700 000.
The Herald also spoke to JP de Beer, chairperson of the STIC in Randfontein who, after hearing the news, said they went to the area immediately.
“Upon our arrival, we got word from the herdsmen that a number of cows had been stolen. We responded to this and phoned our members and the police for back-up. We then visited the crime scene and we saw that the fence had been cut. During this time, we tried to corner the suspects and dispatched our members to the two posts where they could’ve crossed with the cattle. Unfortunately, they managed to run away but they left the livestock behind.
“We also spotted a big cattle truck in Venterspos while searching for the suspects on foot. Those in the truck also managed to drive off when they saw us,” said De Beer who added that the cattle had since been returned to the farm.
The Herald has approached the police regarding the incident who is yet to comment.
