Members’ continuous efforts to prevent and detect stolen stock has yielded success over the weekend in the Katkop area where 63 livestock were recovered.
In the first incident on 20 May 2023 at 09:00, members from the Maluti Stock Theft and Endangered Species Unit and Crime Intelligence worked across district borders after receiving information of alleged stolen cattle at Manxeleni village in the Katkop area.
On their arrival the suspect ran away and a total of eight cattle with no branding, were recovered.
On the 21 May 2023 at 04:00, the Maluti Stock Theft and Endangered Species Unit members conducted an intelligence driven operation about alleged stolen goats and sheep in the Katkop area and proceeded to Gwadana village where they recovered thirty-two goats and at Sithaleni village they recovered twenty three sheep.
The suspect who was transporting the sheep ran away on seeing the police approaching.
All the livestock was impounded at the Mount Fletcher municipal pound while the owners of the stock are being traced since the stock was not branded.
If any person can assist with identifying the alleged stolen stock is asked to contact the Maluti Stock Theft Unit Commander, Lt Col Mlata at 072 580 24 96
Livestock owners are once again reminded to take heed of the following important information:
• Count your livestock regularly
• Report stock theft cases immediately
• Keep a controlled stock register
• Mark your stock accordingly
• Keep fences in proper condition
The Acting Joe Gqabi District Commissioner Brig Asogran Naidoo commended the team on the successful recovery of the stolen stock in the KatKop area where stock theft is a problem.
