Three accused were on Thursday, 28 December 2023, granted R1 000.00 bail each upon appearance before the Lehurutshe Magistrates’ Court on a charge of stock theft.
The accused’s court appearance stems from their apprehension at about 10:00 on Wednesday, 27 December 2023, by Lehurutshe Stock Theft and Endangered Species (STES), Zeerust K9 and Lehurutshe Crime Prevention Units after operationalising information about people who were allegedly seen brand marking the cattle at Ikageleng Section outside Dinokana village near Zeerust. Thus, an observation was kept on the suspects until they loaded the cattle into a white Toyota Bakkie pulling a trailer. The police intercepted the suspects along the Mangope Highway in Lehurutshe. All three suspects; Itireleng Lefutswe (41), Thapelo Matladi (27) and Omphile Lethoko (23) were arrested after they failed to give satisfactory account of the cattle.
On Thursday, 28 December 2023, the two rightful owners of the six cattle valued at R80 000.00, were traced after ownerships were identified through their brand marks.
The accused are expected to re-appear at the same court on Wednesday, 14 February 2024. Investigation into the matter continues.
