Three individuals were convicted of stock theft and sentenced by the Motetema District Court in Sekhukhune District. Aron Tau (36), Shaku Kabelo (30), and Bethuel Nonyana (29) were found guilty after pleading guilty to charges of unlawful possession of six stolen sheep, valued at R18,000.
The case was investigated by the Marble Hall Endangered Species and Stock Theft Unit. The incident unfolded on Tuesday, August 27, 2024, when Motetema SAPS officers stopped a suspicious bakkie around 01h20. Upon searching the vehicle, police found six sheep in the rear compartment.
The three occupants Tau, Kabelo, and Nonyana could not provide a satisfactory explanation for the livestock, which was later identified as stolen from the rightful owner.
As a result, the three were charged with failure to account for the possession of suspected stolen property and stock theft. After their arrest and guilty pleas, the court withdrew their bail, and they were sentenced to either 12 months in direct imprisonment or a fine of R8,000 each.