Estimated reading time: 3 minutes
The costly issue of Stock theft plaguing South African framers is not a new point of discussion. However, most never witness the aftermath of this heinous crime. Many people fail to realise the horrendous trauma these stolen animals endure at the hands of criminals.
This can be seen in an incident in Bergville on 24 March 2021, when Ithemba Security, Bergville branch, received information on a cow that had been slaughtered. The animal had allegedly been stolen from a farmer in the community four weeks earlier.
Notifying the Bergville SAPS Livestock Unit, the security company and police promptly put a plan into action to apprehend the suspects.
According to Ithemba Security, the thieves allegedly celebrated their crime, after which the trio, now tired from the joyful evening, decided to go to bed. This was when the security company and police officers descended upon them—seeing the three suspects taken into custody.
The slaughtered cow and its skin were recovered. Through the markings on the skin, the farmer was able to identify the animal as his.
While the perpetrators are now in police custody, the seriousness of the crime cannot be denied. According to the latest crime statistics released by police minister Bheki Cele, a staggering 7 854 stock theft cases were reported in South Africa in 2020/2021. Out of this figure, there have been a significant number of problematic areas in NKZN.
These are as follows:
- Utrecht with 58 reported cases.
- Dannhauser with 52 cases being brought to the SAPS.
- Estcourt with 50 cases.
- Bergville with 43 cases.
- Ladysmith with 39 reported cases.
- Osizweni with a total of 38 cases.
With stock theft costing the farming community millions of Rands while leaving the animals facing horrific ends, be sure to do your part in seeing justice prevail by reporting crime to law enforcement today.
Share your thoughts with us in the comment section below
