Efforts as Eastern Cape SAPS to break the backbone of stock theft and illicit trade in stolen meat affected necessary disruptions to planned stock theft activities through recovery of lost and straying stock. Some stock was lost while some was found astray and reunited with bona fide owners.
This happened during an operation that was undertaken by Maluti, Tsolo, Qumbu, Flagstaff, Bizana Stock Theft Units and Crime intelligence assisted by Mount Fletcher Cluster Vispol members.
On the 13 June 2019 at Ndakeni, Sithaleni and Gwadana sixteen sheep were recovered locked in an unused homestead whilst other fourteen sheep were recovered straying and impounded at Qumbu stock pound.
One horse was recovered straying and identified and handed to owner of Katkop. The case of missing horse was closed. Another horse was recovered straying was identified and handed to owner of Mount Frere. The case was also closed.
This operation continued to proceed to Blackhill and Debeza, Qumbu where three cattle were recovered at Blackhill straying and impounded at Qumbu stock pound.
Two more cows were recovered at Debeza locality and positively identified by bona fide owner of Tyeni location, Katkop and are to be released on Wednesday this week.
King William’s Town Stock Theft Unit received information of suspected stolen cattle in the Peddie area. They followed up until they reached to Berlin where they discovered three cattle, one already slaughtered. An enquiry docket was opened. Eastern Cape Provincial Commissioner, Lt Gen Liziwe Ntshinga was elated with these in breaks in the fight against stock theft.
She encouraged stock owners to take care of their stock. She urged them to brand their stock for easy identity while at the same time discouraged the public who buys stolen stock and meat. “If you continue to support stock thieves by hiding their activities and buying from them you leave us with no option but to arrest the seller and the buyer,” she warned.
South Africa Today – South Africa News
