In a swift operation driven by crime intelligence, police arrested four male suspects in connection with livestock theft in the Ngcengane locality on Wednesday morning. The suspects, aged between 26 and 54 and all hailing from Manyosini, were apprehended at approximately 07:45 after their Polo sedan broke down.
Authorities recovered 10 suspected stolen sheep from the suspects, who are believed to have stolen the livestock from the neighbouring Khambi locality. Two owners from Khambi have since positively identified the sheep as their property, with the total estimated value placed at R20,000.
The suspects are set to appear before the Mthatha Magistrate’s Court soon, where they will face charges related to the possession of suspected stolen stock. Police have commended the operation as a success in combating rural stock theft, which remains a pressing issue in the region.
Further investigations may be underway to determine if the suspects are linked to other livestock theft cases in the area.
