28 Stolen sheep recovered, Schweizer-Reneke

South African Police Service

28 Stolen sheep recovered, Schweizer-Reneke
28 Stolen sheep recovered, Schweizer-Reneke

Two accused, Mohau Maselo (41) and Pitso Montwedi (24), are expected to re-appear in the Schweizer Reneke Magistrates’ Court on Thursday 23 May 2019, for formal bail application. The pair was remanded in custody during first appearance before the same court on Tuesday 16 May 2019, for possession of suspected stolen goods and stock theft.

The accused were nabbed on Wednesday 15 May 2019, during a crime prevention operation as part of rural safety strategy and curbing of stock theft and other crimes in the policing precinct of Schweizer-Reneke. It is alleged that a suspicious GWM bakkie was spotted on Bloemhof / Schweizer-Reneke Road at approximately 02:15.

The police then followed the vehicle and ultimately stopped it in the Schweizer-Reneke Central Business District (CBD) for a search. During the search, 13 sheep were found on the back of the bakkie, tied with wires and covered with a plastic. The occupants could not account for the sheep and were arrested for possession of presumably stolen goods.

It was realised during off-loading of the sheep that two of them were dead.

Further investigation into the matter led the police to a farm on the Bloemhof / Schweizer-Reneke Road where another 15 sheep were found tied. That brought a total number of recovered sheep to 28, valued at R40 000.00.

Livestock owners and farmers are once again reminded to take precautionary measures to prevent stock theft by applying the following tips.

•Livestock-owners should keep all fences and gates in proper condition to protect their livestock. The employment of a trained employee can be considered for daily fence patrolling.

•Loading ramps in paddocks or on farms away from direct supervision should be kept locked or obstructed at all times.

•Prevent stolen animals from being hidden on your property. Stock-posts serve as ideal overnight stopovers to hide livestock. Unknown livestock found at such posts should immediately be reported to the SAPS.

•Livestock at stock posts should be counted by the livestock-owner him / herself, at least once a week.

•Many court cases are lost because of disputes regarding the proper identification of animals. If an animal is marked with a registered brand or tattoo, disputes will be avoided. Employees should properly mark their livestock, according to the Animal Identification Act, 2002 (Act No 6 of 2002), preferably by branding them.

•Report unknown animals among your animals immediately to the SAPS and your neighbours.

•Livestock owners should at all times report all livestock theft cases on their property immediately. The longer you delay, the less the possibility of achieving success.

•The regular herding and counting of animals are of obvious importance.

•Employees should be trained to pay attention to irregularities. Ask your employees to be careful of what they say about activities on the farm in the presence of strangers. Careless talk can lead to livestock losses.

•Report immediately to your Stock Theft Unit when animal speculators as well as hides and bone buyers or livestock dealers are active in your area.

•It often happens that stock theft cases have to be withdrawn due to lack of interest or reluctance shown by some complainants to attend court proceedings. Show interest in solved cases and attend all court cases.

South Africa Today – South Africa News

SOURCESouth African Police Service