Police pounce on cattle thieves
Lt Gen Mondli Zuma said, "Police are always ready for any eventuality."
MBOMBELA – A 32-year-old man and 11 accomplices were arrested yesterday after they were purportedly found in possession of stolen cattle. Stock theft affects many farmers in Mpumalanga and police have introduced the Rural Safety Strategy, which places the protection of rural and farming communities, especially concerning stock theft and stray animals, among other things, on the top of their agenda.
Police acted on a tip-off about a deal which was being planned and the Middelburg Stock Theft Unit conducted the operation, along with other units including a private security firm, Anti-Crime Security Unit. The man, believed to be a lawyer practicing in Pretoria, and his associates were arrested when police found the trucks being loaded with the cattle.
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According to police spokesman, Brig Leonard Hlathi, “Some of the suspects fled from the scene, leaving behind only the man and his father. The initial probe established that it was not the first time the community around Breyten suffered a big blow by losing cattle to thieves in the area.”
He added that further reports indicate that two men and a woman were held captive, and their hands and feet bound while the men were stealing the cattle.
“The three trucks, a bakkie that the suspect and his father had been using as well as cash to the tune of R95 000, which was found in the suspects’ possession, were seized by police.”
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After the father and son duo were nabbed by police, 10 of their accomplices, believed to be the group which fled, were tracked down and arrested.
“All the suspects aged between 34 and 53 will appear in court soon, facing theft of livestock and possession of stolen property charges,” said Hlathi.
The Provincial Commissioner of Mpumalanga, Lt Gen Mondli Zuma said, “Police are always ready for any eventuality, people should not take chances thinking that because the country is under an election fever, the police may not, therefore, be vigilant on other crimes.”
