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Three stolen cattle worth R36 000 were recovered by local law enforcement on the Newcastle to Utrecht road in the Osizweni, KwaZulu-Natal area.
Newcastle SAPS spokesperson Lizzy Arumugam explained that on 18 October 2022, the Amajuba District Task Team was patrolling the road alongside the Osizweni Crime Prevention Unit, monitoring the area for any possible activity.
During the routine patrol, the law enforcement team noticed a red Isuzu bakkie with a trailer, transporting three cattle.
With the police officers deciding to pull the vehicle over, Arumugam said, “They questioned the driver and the crew about the said cattle, and two suspects failed to give an explanation why they were in possession of the three cattle.”
Failing to prove ownership of the animals, the suspected cattle thieves were then arrested and will appear before the Madadeni Magistrate’s Court. Moreover, Arumugam confirmed that the estimated value of the three cattle stood at R36 000.
The South African Police Services (SAPS) previously highlighted that four Northern KwaZulu-Natal towns made it on the list of top 30 problematic areas with this crime.
- Utrecht
- Estcourt
- Dannhauser
- Vryheid
Arumugam further explained that livestock owners needed to take appropriate measures to minimise being impacted. “Ensure that your animals have been marked appropriately. Farmers are encouraged to use the Livestock Identification.”
She also said it was essential that farm owners should secure property boundaries by keeping fences and gates in good repair. This, while jointly ensuring gates have sturdy locks and hinges. “They should also locate loading ramps away from perimeter fencing wherever possible.”
According to Arumugam it was just as important to maintain accurate records of one’s livestock. This included livestock numbers, registration details, personal profiles of individual animals and livestock movement data.
“This will help determine whether livestock has been stolen and approximately when and where incidents have occurred. Good records help police in their investigations and increase the likelihood of tracking down missing animals and the criminals who have stolen them,” she highlighted.
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