Community Safety, Security and Liaison MEC, Pat Ngomane has urged farmers to hire local herdsmen.

According to Ngomane, employing illegal foreign nationals to look after livestock also increases crime – particularly livestock theft.

“Some of them may steal and sell the cattle that they are supposed to look after without the owners’ knowledge, pocket the money and disappear.

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This is possible because most cattle owners do not stay on their farms on a full-time basis,” he said.

Ngomane has encouraged the cattle farmers to consider employing people they know.

“In cases of theft it becomes easy even for the police to investigate such cases.”

He further called on livestock owners to take their livestock farming seriously so that incidents of livestock theft are reduced.

Ngomane stated that farmers must ensure that the places in which they keep their livestock are properly fenced and also properly branded, “so that when they wander they are able to find them.”

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This was said during a public participation programme (Imbizo) that took place on Sunday at Moloto in Thembisile Hani Local Municipality.

Tips to prevent cattle rustlers

1. Visit your cattle every day and do a headcount.
2. Avoid visiting your cattle the same time every day.
3. Take time to inspect the outside fence.
4. Report suspicious vehicles.
5. Keep calves away from easy road access.

Source of tips: www.beefproducer.com