Cattle hacked to death on Vischkuil farm
Janus Oosthuizen, a farmer at Vischkuil, made a gruesome discovery when he found seven of his cattle hacked - and six slaughtered - in an open field, on Friday morning.
He made the discovery after going in search of his cattle.
He was informed by his workers that 24 of his young Bonsmara cattle had been stolen, at approximately 3am.
When he saw the intestines of six of the cattle and one carcass, he was devastated.
Oosthuizen says the theft of cattle affects any farmer, but it makes matters worse when they are being hacked and slaughtered.
He says it is heartbreaking for him to witness the extent to which these criminals will go, for their own gain.
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The fence was allegedly cut at the bottom of the farm and the cattle were chased to the site where the thugs hacked their heels.
“The cruelty which criminals are capable of when killing these animals, overwhelms me.
“They’re causing so much grief,” he added.
The rest of the 17 cattle were found at a nearby farm and were taken back to Oosthuizen’s farm.
“I’ve had 27 cattle stolen in less than 60 days,” he explained – “not to mention the 11 cattle that were stolen in two different incidents last year.”
He believes the Springs police are doing the best they can, but claims there is a lack of basic detective work.
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“We never receive any feedback on stock theft cases, or whether any suspects have been apprehended or not,” he says.
Police were called to the scene and a case of theft was opened.
Springs police spokesman Capt Johannes Ramphora said the policeman was horrified at what he saw.
“The case will be handed over to the SAPS Stock Theft Unit,” he says.
