Stock theft is a perpetual problem and farmers are always at risk as a single head of cattle can be worth thousands of rands. Another incident was reported recently where three cows were killed and stolen from a farm in Zaaihoek.
On September 20 a farmer left his property and livestock in good order for the day but early the next morning he apparently received a phone call from the caretaker that he found entrails and blood where the 24 heads of cattle were grazing.
The man rushed home and after a headcount it was discovered that three cows were missing. The entrails could indicate that the cattle were slaughtered on the spot and then transported. Barnard Burger from Farm Protect has assisted the local SAPS and the community policing forum (CPF) with issues farmers and mines in the Blinkpan area have such as stock theft.
As Recently as last week there was a stock theft case in that area where nine heads of cattle were found slaughtered and another six are still missing.
He suggested that farmers hire a security company to protect their cattle just like a security guard would protect any other business.
He also urged famers who have not done so already to mark their cattle.
This helps investigators trace the livestock back to the owners.
A case of stock theft was opened by the Witbank SAPS and they are looking into the matter.
