By OBAKENG MAJE
A well-known lawyer, Tebogo Letloleng (42) has pleaded guilty in a stock-theft case against him. The embattled Letloleng was arrested on 2 December 2022 for stealing two cows worth R20 600.
According to information, the incident took place at Manthe village, near Taung in 2021. The North West police spokesperson, Lieutenant Col Amanda Funani said the police found suspected stolen cows in Letloleng’s possession.
Letloleng alleged that he found those cows in his kraal and the mistake he made was to brand-mark them. However, the prosecutor condemned Letloleng’s action and said he does not show any remorse. He said, if Letloleng was genuine, he could have returned those cows to their rightful owners.
Now, Letloleng will be sentenced on Tuesday at Taung Magistrate’s Court. The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) calls for a direct imprisonment for Letloleng, but his lawyer urged the court to hand him a suspended sentence. Letloleng’s defence argued that, he has five children that he is taking care of and his incarceration might also jeopardise his career as a lawyer.
The court also heard that the controversial Letloleng had a damage to property case against him that happened back in 2004.
One of the owners of the stolen cows, Moses Phakedi (65) said, rural farmers are not only facing challenges of severe drought, but stock theft as well. Phakedi further said, the nature of this scourge extremely manifests itself in rural areas because it is not fully tackled by authorities.
Another owner, Edward Sereo (40) shared the same sentiments. Sereo said, livestock owners continue to bear the brunt and that affects their livelihoods.
Meanwhile, the www.scielo.org.za said: “Rural communities regard livestock as living wealth and they are often their only source of income and sustenance. Thus, when their livestock are stolen many households and subsistence farmers lose their livelihoods.
“But these farmers are not the only ones who suffer on account of stock theft. It also has a serious impact on commercial farmers, and thus the red meat industry as a whole. Stock theft is an escalating, unnerving and destructive reality, facing or affecting all sectors of the farming community.”
The website added that: “The research reveals that an inadequate approach in dealing with stock theft in rural areas is prevalent. And in line with the importance of livestock, these species remain an absolute credit to South African rural livestock farmers’ families at large.
“However, the extent and dark figures of this crime undermine the capacity of the police, livestock farmers, and community members. The researchers are of the opinion that rural livestock farmers in South Africa have expressed concern over the rampant cases of stock theft. Undoubtedly, the escalating stock theft syndicate activities pose a threat to the community.”
It says, the livestock farmers’ concerned claim that those who have been arrested in connection with stock theft have not received appropriate punishment and the incidences of stock thefts are rising at an alarming rate, affecting their livelihoods.
The Guardian 