| 2024/12/25 |
|
Media Statement
NELSPRUIT – Police at Verena are investigating a stock theft related incident whereby two male persons were reportedly cornered and assaulted by an unidentified group of people after being reportedly found with livestock believed to have been stolen. One of the alleged suspects died whilst the other one sustained some injuries. The incident occurred in Verena on Wednesday, 24 December 2024. According to a report, Police as well Medical Emergency Services were called to the scene, and it was during this period when one of the men was pronounced dead, while the other was taken to the hospital for treatment. He is currently hospitalized under Police guard. The incident is believed to be linked to stock theft incident, where 26 cattle, six goats, and a donkey were reportedly stolen from a certain farm in Verena. The Police investigation indicates that a shepherd was attacked earlier that day then robbed of an undisclosed amount of cash. Thereafter, the suspects are believed to have fled the scene in two bakkies with trailers when their vehicles got stuck in the mud, leading to their capture and attack by the mob. Two bakkies were also torched during the incident. The Acting Provincial Commissioner of the SAPS in Mpumalanga, Major General (Dr) Zeph Mkhwanazi strongly condemned vigilantism. The General also expressed his concern over incidents of stock theft and urged members of the community to refrain from buying suspected stolen properties. The General further emphasized the importance of collaboration between the community and the Police in combating stock theft. The Police have a Stock Theft Unit to address the challenge of stock theft. Ends
Enquiries:
X (Twitter): https://twitter.com/SAPoliceService |
|
|
