| 2024/10/10 |
|
Media Statement EASTERN CAPE – A Provincial task team comprising of members from the Stock theft and Endangered Species Unit, Visible Policing, Mounted Unit, Crime Intelligence, K-9, Airwing, Immigration Office and the Department of Health managed to arrest six (06) suspects, confiscate cattle, sheep, goats and a horse with a total estimated value of R 6 127 500.00 (six million, one hundred twenty-seven thousand and five hundred rands) during a two-week long operation in four districts of the Eastern Cape. Eighty-three (83) fines valued R97 600 were issued and with four butcheries served with notices for non-compliance. The operation targeted the four hot-spot districts, namely Alfred Nzo, OR Tambo, Chris Hani and Amathole, and it started on Monday, 23 September 2024, and ended on Friday, 4 October 2024. The following successes were recorded: 1) Asakhe Tshekula (20), from Tsolo, on his first court appearance (30 September 2024), was sentenced to 180 days imprisonment, after he pleaded guilty for contravening the Stock Theft Act (he was found in possession of 8 cattle and a horse). 2) Simphiwe Mbombo (55), from Tsolo, was sentenced to a fine of R 5 000 or 3 months imprisonment, after he was found in possession of a cow carcass. 3) A 26-year-old man was nabbed for contravening the Stock Theft Act, after 6 sheep were found from his kraal in Eluqolweni location, Qumbu 4) Three men aged between 20 and 45 were nabbed on warrants of arrest linking them in several stock theft cases. 5) 342 cattle, 408 sheep, 28 goats and a horse were confiscated. 6) 83 people were fined for Contravening the Animal Identification Act. 7) Four butcheries in KwaBhaca were served with notices for non-compliance The recovered stock were taken to different pounds in towns such as Qumbu, Tsolo and KwaBhaca. The owners are unknown, as most stock is not branded. Provincial Commissioner, Lieutenant General Nomthetheleli Mene said, “Stock theft is a challenge in the province, as most people in subsistence farming are leaving their stock roaming unattended. We appeal to stock owners to work with the police so that we overcome these challenges, and that should start by a visit to the nearest SAPS Stock Theft and Endangered Species Unit to be assisted with branding or tattooing of stock. It is a challenge to prosecute suspects, if the stock is not branded”, concluded Lt Gen Mene Ends
Enquiries:
X (Twitter): https://twitter.com/SAPoliceService
|
|
|
| Additional content: |
|
|
