Picture: The poisoned cattle/Facebook
By OBAKENG MAJE
Six accused persons were arrested for poisoning 44 cattle in Morokweng village, near Ganyesa on 4 January 2024. The North West police spokesperson, Brig Sabata Mokgwabone said, the arrests come after the establishment of a task team by the North West Police Commissioner, Lieutenant General Sello Kwena, to investigate the existence of a stock theft syndicate in the Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati District.
Mokgwabone said the accused persons, Lobelo Setlhabetsi (48), Moses Monchusi (47), Karabo Ditlamelo (31), Tshepiso Masite (32) Sarel De Lange (21), and White Basime (42), are all linked with malicious damage to property case, in which Keobakile Kenosi is the accused.
He further said the accused persons were arrested in Morokweng and Ganyesa for theft in general, unlawful possession of ammunition, unlawful possession of firearms, and malicious property damage.
“The crimes were committed between August 2022 and January 2024. Four of the six accused persons are facing a charge of theft general after they allegedly stole a JoJo water tank worth R5 500 in Boshoek between 23 and 27 August 2023.
“The other two accused persons are facing separate charges of unlawful possession of ammunition and unlawful possession of a firearm. They were arrested in Ganyesa and Morokweng respectively after being found in possession of ammunition and a shotgun on 4 January 2024,” said Mokgwabone.
He added that, at the time of the arrest, the police were looking for the suspects in connection with malicious damage to property cases allegedly committed in Boshoek in August 2022. Mokgwabone said that one of the accused is facing an additional charge of malicious damage to property committed in October 2023.
“The reports suggest that the suspects intentionally bumped a private security company’s vehicle from the rear and pelted it with stones. During the arrest, the police confiscated a Toyota Hilux D/Cab bakkie, ammunition, and two firearms.
“They all appeared in the Ganyesa Magistrate’s Court on 5 January 2024 and remanded in custody until 9 January 2024,” he said.
Meanwhile, the North West Police Commissioner, Lieutenant General Sello Kwena, commended the police for their diligence and ongoing delivery of their mandate to ensure that, alleged perpetrators are brought to book.
The Guardian 