Man accused of theft of his father’s cattle worth R150 000 gets bail
MOKGOANENG – The 47 year-old Jacob Moselakgomo, who is facing a charge of stock theft, appeared before the Mudutjana Magistrate’s Court in Siyabuswa on Monday, 11 March for formal bail application following his court appearance on Friday, 8 March and was granted bail of R3000.
His case was postponed to 17 April 2024 for further police investigations. Colonel Malesela Ledwaba, Limpopo Provincial Police spokesperson, informed that the suspect was arrested following an incident which occurred at Mokgoaneng Village between 22 and 23 August 2023, whereby a complainant reported that 17 of his cattle, valued at R150 000, were stolen from his kraal.
According to witnesses, the cattle were seen loaded onto an unidentified vehicle. Ledwaba indicated that subsequent to investigations led by the dedicated officers of South African Police Service (SAPS) Stock Theft and Endangered Species Unit, the complainant’s son was positively linked to the theft of all the 17 cattle.
He added that police were able to recover five of the stolen cattle on Thursday, 7 March 2024 in Jane Furse, where a famer explained that the suspect sold them to him. Ledwaba shared that the complainant was able to identify the cattle through their brand mark.
The Provincial Commissioner of SAPS in Limpopo, Lieutenant General Thembi Hadebe said the case highlights the importance of community members coming forward with information about criminal activities, regardless of the individuals involved. “Farmers are once more reminded of the importance of brand marking their livestock, which plays a pivotal role in police investigations,” concluded Hadebe.
