By KEDIBONE MOLAETSI
Seven suspects were arrested for stock theft at Zeekoeivallei farm in Ottoshoop near Mahikeng in the early hours of Thursday morning. The owner of the livestock, Pastor Piet Tlhabanyane said, he was called by his herder at around 2am who informed him about a crime that was underway.
“When we arrived, we counted the cattle and realised that 43 were missing. However, we found 27 cattle scattered around the farm, so we are still looking for another 16.
“It appears that the suspects entered the farm by breaking the padlocks of the main gate and our preliminary investigation indicates that, they began loading the cattle in their trucks at around 7pm on Wednesday,” Tlhabanyane said.
Meanwhile, the North West MEC for Community Safety and Transport Management, Sello Lehari said: “We alerted the police and seven suspects, including a woman and two African males were apprehended with two trucks loaded with cattle.
“People often accuse the police of lacklustre response and here we are with them having reacted with speed. The problem of stock theft in some parts of the province is rife, hence the visit of the Deputy Minister of Police, Cassel Mathale on 5 November 2022 in Taung.”
Lehari also expressed profound gratitude to the South African Police Service (SAPS) for a swift response when called upon. He said the ministerial crime imbizo that took place in Taung last week Saturday focused on Gender-Based Violence (GBV) and the rising stock theft statistics.
“We appeal to the communities to play a role in fighting crime. Often suspects are known and only through the support of the community members criminality could be fought.
“Crime is not committed by people we do not know. The police promptly apprehended suspects because community members played a significant role,” said Lehari.
He said, the neighbouring game farm has Close Circuit Cameras that assisted in exposing the criminality activities that were taking place. Lehari said the owner is part of the farming neighbourhood watch.
“The suspects were in the process of being arraigned and charges formulated. However, it is not clear when will they appear in court,” said Lehari.
TaungDailyNews 