By REGINALD KANYANE
8 July 2025- A man (37) was arrested by the Upington Stock Theft and Endangered Species Unit for stock-theft at Twee Rivieren. The accused, Melvin Vilander allegedly smuggled the meat of two cattle into South Africa from Botswana on 26 June 2025, near Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park.
ZF Mgcawu District police spokesperson, Omphile Masegela said the transaction took place over the borderline fence of RSA and Botswana without legal documents. Masegela said the police received a tip-off and followed it up.
“The meat of two cattle carcasses were recovered. The accused could not provide reasonable explanation for being in possession of the meat. The value of the meat recovered is R13 000.
“A case was then opened and the investigation was handed over to Detective Warrant Officer Jacques Ockhuys, who effected the arrest after thorough investigation,” she said.
Masegela said Vilander had already appeared before court and granted a R1000 bail. She said a case has been postponed for further investigation.
The Guardian 