The Ermelo Regional Court sentenced Mduduzi Soko (36) and Willy Chazinga (64) from Bethal to various sentences for stock theft on Thursday, September 30.
The magistrate, Mr Eben Jonker, convicted the pair and sentenced them to 6 and 4 years imprisonment respectively.
In October 2016, the police in Davel reacted to a tip off about stolen cattle being transported on the Davel-Bethal road en-route to Standerton auction.
When stopped, the occupants began blaming each other but were subsequently arrested.
Seven heads of cattle belonging to Hurwitz Farm were recovered and positively identified by the complainant due to the clear brandmarks on them.
The state advocate, Mr Charles Lloyd stated in aggravation of sentence that both accused had similar previous convictions and that it is quite clear that proper compliance with the Animal Identification Act 6 of 2002, by marking animals the way they should be marked, is a very effective tool in combatting stock theft.
He said farming communities are rallying together in their fight against stock thieves by using the latest technologies to trace and prevent stock theft.
They are also assisting the police with roadblocks and information.
Adv Lloyd added that it is not necessary to ‘re-invent the wheel’ but that all what is required to combat stock theft is 100% compliance with the Stock Theft Act and Animal Identification Act.
