Police in Limpopo unleash war on stock thieves
Letebajane
In concerted efforts to fight stock theft incidents that are now prevalent around Limpopo Province, the Police in Rakgoadi outside Marble Hall have on Tuesday 27 August, arrested three suspects, aged between 29 and 34, in connection with possession of stolen live-stock.
The suspects were arrested by the police who were on patrol duties at Letebetjane Village in the early hours at about 02:00am.
Colonel Malesela Ledwaba, Limpopo Provincial Police Spokesperson, said according to the information received, the police members stopped and searched a suspicious vehicle and they found seven sheep including a newly born lamb loaded in a bakkie.
“Preliminary police investigation revealed that the suspects were on their way to an auction in Groblersdal and the sheep were stolen at Rakgoadi policing area. The owner was located and handed over the sheep. The suspects were immediately arrested for possession of suspected stolen livestock,” explained Ledwaba.
He said the suspects will appear before Motetema Magistrate‘s Court soon facing charges of stock theft.
Meanwhile in another stock theft incident in the province, two male suspects, aged 35 and 38, were nabbed for possession of suspected stolen livestock and cruelty to animals incident that took place at Mentz, along R71 Road on Friday 23 August 2024 at about 05:20 in the morning.
“A member of the Polokwane Stock-Theft Unit was on his way to work when he noticed a white Toyota bakkie with two male occupants parked along the R71 Road at Mentz Village in Ga-Mamabolo. The bakkie was pulling a trailer loaded with 10 cattle and the member called the local police who responded swiftly and rushed to the scene. Upon arrival, a search was conducted and police discovered three cattle carcass and seven cattle still alive,” explained Ledwaba.
He said the duo could not provide authentic documentation to be in possession of these cattle and were immediately apprehended on the spot.
“Preliminary investigations revealed that the suspects might have stolen the cattle from the grazing field in Ga-Sekororo at a village still to be determined. The recovered cattle had a new brand mark and were later taken to the pound in Polokwane for safekeeping. Cattle valued at around R80 000, a Toyota bakkie and the trailer were impounded during the arrest,” Ledwaba said.
He said the two male suspects are due to appear before the Mankweng Magistrate’s Court soon facing a charge of possession of stolen livestock and cruelty to animals.
Ledwaba said the police urge anyone who has lost cattle to contact the Investigating Officer Warrant Officer Simon Ramaoka on 082 778 9166, the Crime Stop Number on 08600 10111, the nearest police station or make use of MySAPSApp.
The Provincial Commissioner of the Police in Limpopo, Lieutenant General Thembi Hadebe, has welcomed the arrest and commended the members for always being dedicated to their duties.
“We will continue and explore new strategies to preserve the stock of our forefathers because this is a bank that our mothers and fathers kept to rescue the families in rainy days. The net is closing to those determined to break this,” said Hadebe.
In another incident, three male suspects, aged between 27 and 30 were arrested for stock theft along the Rossenekal and Stoffberg Road outside Groblersdal.
The suspects were arrested after they were found transporting 19 goats with Nissan NP300 while on their way to an auction around Stoffberg.
Ledwaba said preliminary police investigations revealed that the goats were stolen at Rakgoadi policing area outside Marble Hall.
“The owner was notified, and the goats were identified through a brand mark. They suspects will soon appear before the local magistrate court facing charges of possession of suspected stolen live-stock,” he said.
