Three suspects, two of whom are employees at a farm in Kuruman, were arrested on charges of stock theft after they were found in possession of six suspected stolen Bonsmara cows valued at around R45,000.
THREE suspects, two of whom are employees at a farm in Kuruman, were arrested on charges of stock theft after they were found in possession of six suspected stolen Bonsmara cows.
Northern Cape police spokesperson Lieutenant-Colonel Sergio Kock said the cows were valued at around R45,000.
“On Friday, January 19, 2024, at approximately 5pm, members of the Kuruman Stock Theft and Endangered Species Unit (STESU) followed up on information regarding stolen cattle and pounced on three male suspects who were found in possession of six allegedly stolen Bonsmara cows.
“The police arrested the suspects at a ranch just outside of Kuruman while they were busy selling the six cows. The livestock was positively identified and returned to their rightful owner,” said Kock.
Two of the three male suspects are employees at a farm in the Kuruman area where the stock was allegedly stolen earlier that morning.
Kock said the suspects are expected to appear in court soon.
“The three suspects, aged between 30 and 50 years, will be appearing in the Kuruman Magistrate’s Court on a charge of stock theft. The investigation continues,” he said.
In two further incidents of suspected stock theft in the Northern Cape, the police in Richmond and Van Wyksvlei in the Pixley ka Seme District arrested five suspects for stock theft and possession of suspected stolen livestock between January 20 and January 22.
Police spokesperson Sergeant Timothy Sam said three suspects were arrested in one of the incidents after they were found busy slaughtering a sheep.
“The police in Richmond received information about suspects who were busy slaughtering sheep inside a house in the area. The members operationalised the information and found three suspects inside the house with three sheep carcasses as well as one live sheep. The suspects were apprehended and charged with stock theft as well as possession of alleged stolen livestock. The vehicle that was used during the commission of the alleged crime was also confiscated,” said Sam.
He added that two suspects were arrested on similar charges in Van Wyksvlei.
“While conducting patrols, Van Wyksvlei police members approached two males who were carrying suspicious bags. Upon searching the bags, the police found slaughtered sheep meat, which the suspects could not account for. The suspects were apprehended and charged with possession of suspected stolen livestock.”
Sam said the five suspects will appear in their respective magistrate’s courts soon.
He added that police management thanked the public for providing information that led to the arrests of the suspects.
“The Northern Cape provincial commissioner, Lieutenant-General Koliswa Otola, appreciated the public for providing information to the police, which is a clear indication of partnership policing. She also indicated that heightened police visibility will continue to ensure that perpetrators of crime are brought to book,” Sam concluded.
