Picture: (Facebook: Enoch Molebiemang who is accused of stealing 21 sheep)
By REGINALD KANYANE
A 42 year-old man appeared in Taung Magistrate’s Court on Monday in connection of livestock theft. Enoch Molebiemang who is a teacher at Bogosing Secondary School in Maphoitsile village, in Taung was arrested last week Friday.
Molebiemang was arrested at his residential area in Matolong village. Police allegedly found 21 suspected stolen sheep in his possession.
It is alleged that Molebiemang stole sheep from various areas like Matolong, Maphoitsile, Cokonyane and Nhole.
Some of victims have already identified their livestock. Princess Maleho (48) said: “I am self-employed and have no income. We found our sheep in Molebiemang’s possession. I run Early Childhood Development (ECD) and heavily depended on my livestock for survival. We urge the judiciary system to be harsher on livestock thieves. We cannot continue to have people who steal from us.”
Another victim, Joseph Kgosieng from Maphoitsile village said he lost everything.
“I had cattle, sheep and goats. However, I lost everything after criminals stole them. We survive through our livestock simply because there are no job opportunities here in Taung. The area is predominantly rural and we urge our community to work together and combat livestock theft,” he said.
Lucas Koji from Nhole village said he suspects that criminals are working as syndicate. Koji said police must frequently visit auctions.
“We urge our police to ensure that they visit auctions frequently so that they can arrest those who sell stolen livestock. It is very depressing to take care of your livestock and criminals come and steal from you just like that. We will end up taking the law into our own hands because these criminals continue to roam the streets,” Koji said.
Greater Taung Anti-Crime organisation chairperson, Peggy Molatlhegi said: “We are so disappointed after Molebiemang’s arrest. As a teacher, he should be good example to our kids. We never thought a person of his calibre can be involved in criminal activities.
“Stock-theft has become a white collar crime and we urge our police to work hard in arresting suspects. We know that some of thieves are working together with police and that will be hard to win these kind of cases. Most of our people depend on their livestock for survival. If you steal their livestock you leave them vulnerable and deprived.”
The case was postponed until December 4 for formal bail application.
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