KwaZulu-Natal police on Wednesday, warned of increased stock theft over festive season and said they would intensify police operations.
“This has become a major concern to us and we will intensify our operations in curbing such crimes by doing more patrols and stop and searches duties,” spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Thulani Zwane said.
“Since we are approaching festive season, usually there is an increase in stock theft cases reported to the police. We are therefore making an appeal to the members of community to get involved in preventing such cases to happen by looking after their livestock.”
Police warned of stock theft in areas including Ladysmith, Ezakheni, Elaangslaagte and Harry Gwala Cluster following an operation that recovered stolen livestock. The operations were conducted by various Stock Theft Unit in the province where a number of stolen livestock were recovered and arrests made.
Zwane said the police urged the community to corporate to ensure that their livestock are branded and marked.
“In terms of Animal Identification Act 6 of 2002, it is the duty of livestock owners to brand mark their animals. The police will act on those who fail to comply with this Act. Our Stock Theft Units are willing to assist those livestock owners who might need help as to how they can permit certificate and equipment of branding their livestock,” Zwane said.
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