Police in Mpumalanga have heard the outcry by farmers and are working hard to address this situation as criminals target their livestock.
As a result, two suspects aged 27 and 43 were arrested, through information provided by the intelligence structure. They were nabbed between Amersfoort and Morgenzon for allegedly stealing nine cattle on 18 August 2022 around 02:15 am.
Police received information about cattle being stolen in Amersfoort.
They then responded swiftly where they approached the two suspects guiding the cattle. When the police questioned them about the cattle they failed to give a valid reason as to where they were heading to with the cattle.
One suspect was immediately arrested however, his accomplice became violent and fought the police with a panga then fled the scene.
However after some a few hours he was traced and arrested as well. They were both charged for stock theft and attempted murder.
They will appear in the Amersfoort Magistrate’s Court, soon, facing the said charges. Meanwhile the lawful owner of the cattle was located and he managed to positively identify his livestock. The cattle were then handed back to him.
The Provincial Commissioner of the SAPS in Mpumalanga, Lieutenant General Semakaleng Daphney Manamela has welcomed the arrest and emphasised to farmers the importance of putting an end to stock theft by discouraging people from buying suspected stolen items. “Whilst we alert the farmers to be vigilant and not allow their livestock to stray without anyone taking care. Besides serious road accidents caused by stray animals, criminals can take advantage to steal such livestock. We further plead with the general public not to purchase meat that is suspected to have been stolen” said the General.
