Concerted efforts by the SAPS to thwart and ultimately eradicate the illicit trade in stolen stock and meat were handsomely rewarded when a cross border operation yielded the desired results. The operation which took place from the 27 August 2020 to 29 September 2020, was a collaboration between police in OR Tambo, Alfred Nzo and Joe Gqabi Districts.
Eighteen suspects, 159 cattle, 319 sheep, 70 goats, 22 horses, two vehicles and one firearm were some of the successes generated by an integrated anti stock theft operation between three Eastern Cape policing districts.
The operations spanned over the following areas:
OR Tambo district the members operated at Bityi (Julukuqu, Nyibeni, Mqhekezweni),
Tsolo (Tsolo Village, Ntshiqo, New Homes),
Qumbu (Black Hill, Ngxabane, Qumbu village and Ncaluke),
Sulenkama (Etwa, Ntaboduli, Gorge and Qotira),
And Mthatha (Bhaziya, Langeni)
At Joe Gqqabi operations (Katkop, Ngxaxha, Ntubeni, Mphehle and Maladini locations).
At Alfred Nzo district, Mt Ayliff (Brooksneck), Matatiele, Mt Frere, Bizana (Ndlovu, Mpetsheni and Luphondweni localities) were the focus areas.
Throughout the duration of the operations the following actions were undertaken:
· Stop and search – 135
· Blue Light patrols – 238
· Vehicle searched – 198
· People searched – 756
· Premises searched – 35
· Vehicle Check points – 17
· Rural safety – 66
· Small holding – 887
· Stock raid – 26
· Stock pound – 23
· Tracing for stolen stock – 03
· Wanted suspects – 01
Eighteen suspects, ageing between 25 to 73 years were arrested on charges of stock theft and are expected to appear in the respective courts soon. The firearm recovered will be sent to ballistics for testing to ascertain its earlier use in commission of crime.
Eastern Cape Provincial Commissioner, Lt Gen Liziwe Ntshinga commended the three districts for an operation well executed and a job well done. ‘Our actions must continue to combine skills, experience and resources in order to come down hard on those dealing in this illicit business of stock theft. Our intelligence driven operations must continue until we have broken the backbone of this crime. We are forever grateful to the members of the community who continue to share confidential information with police, as this greatly assist in the fight against stock theft,’ she added.
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