DA is concerned about stock theft
"It is clear that the SAPS are increasingly unable to protect our rural communities not only from farm attacks and murders, but also from thieves stealing livestock," Jacques Smalle, Limpopo DA leader said.
BURGERSFORT – The DA has written to the Limpopo SAPS provincial commissioner, Nneke Ledwaba, seeking his immediate intervention after receiving published statistics of the economic impact of livestock theft.
According to the DA, the stats published from March 2017 to April 2018, revealed that Limpopo lost over R103 million due to stock theft.
The party said it was clear that the stock-theft unit in the province is not adequately resourced and livestock such as cattle, sheep and goats remain the main targets.
The political party said stock theft was the biggest property-related crime in the province and that clearly puts a strain on sustainable agriculture.
“It is clear that the SAPS are increasingly unable to protect our rural communities not only from farm attacks and murders, but also from thieves stealing livestock,” Jacques Smalle, Limpopo DA leader said.
The party said it believed that the rural economies are dependent on the agricultural sector and it is imperative that livestock is protected to boost the economy and to create jobs.
“We urge Ledwaba to increase the police support, resources and visibility in all the rural communities and ensure that the policing forums are effective enough to combat stock theft.”
Limpopo SAPS spokesman, Col Moatshe Ngoepe confirmed to Steelburger/Lydenburg News that they have indeed received the letter.
“Our stock-theft unit is working hard to combat this. We recently arrested cattle thieves in Burgersfort as well as in Polokwane and they are currently being prosecuted.”
