By BAKANG MOKOTO
8 September 2024 – An alleged notorious livestock thief, Moses Matshego (39), who was arrested on 4 September 2024, near Itsoseng Township, near Lichtenburg, will remain in custody. This comes after Matshego briefly appeared in Ditsobotla Magistrate’s Court in Itsoseng on 6 September 2024.
The North West police spokesperson, Lieutenant Colonel Amanda Funani said Matshego was arrested on Wednesday morning, 4 September 2024, by the Mahikeng Stock theft and Endangered Species (STES) unit members, near Itsoseng after a tip-off about suspected stolen cattle loaded in a truck.
“The police managed to arrest the suspect who was found in possession of 15 cattle worth R150 000. According to information, the accused had already branded the cattle with his brand mark.
“The preliminary investigation into the matter showed that the cattle were allegedly stolen from different places in and around Mahikeng and Itsoseng,” she said.
Funani further said it was further established that the accused was previously charged on several stock theft cases in the province, although some were withdrawn due to investigation related queries. She added that the possibility of linking Matshego with more cases cannot be ruled out.
His stock theft case was postponed until 12 September 2024.
Meanwhile, the North West Police Commissioner, Lieutenant General Sello Kwena, lauded the members of STES for their quick response that resulted in the seizure of cattle and apprehension of the accused for stock theft, which is one of the problematic crimes.
The Guardian 