Stock thief busted at Randfontein auction, 17 goats recovered

According to Sergeant Carmen Hendricks, the Randfontein Police spokesperson, at about 10pm on Tuesday, 24 November, stock was stolen from a plot in Elandsvlei, Randfontein Herald reports.

“The owner of the stolen stock went to sleep the night before knowing his goats were in the kraal. The following morning (25 November) when he checked they were all gone.

“The same day he went to the auction at Lund Auctioneers in Randridge after receiving information about his stolen goats. He went to the kraal and identified his goats. Police were informed and the suspect was arrested. A total of 17 of his eighteen 18 goats that had been stolen were recovered.”

Zaheer Gangat, Chairperson of the Randfontein CPF added, “At around 5.40am on 25 November, the CPF received a call that 18 goats had been stolen in Elandsvlei and immediately contacted local auctioneer Rudy Lund to be on the lookout as it was auction day. With some concerted efforts by patrollers Shaun Kellie and Donovan Broigh in conjunction with Captain Van der Merwe of the Randfontein Police a trap was set to auction off the goats and get the perpetrator to come and collect his money for the goats as a decent price was fetched at the auction.

“He came to collect and was arrested on the spot. Only 17 of the 18 goats were recovered. We are very thankful that we could assist the victim in partnership with the police, as well as with the efforts by the Stock Theft Information Centre (STIC) and Brigadier Molegai who assisted in his personal capacity.

We thank all involved and we hope we will send a message to the stock theft syndicates that we will not allow our hard-earned livestock to be taken in this manner.”

Brigadier Mashole Jacob Manamela, the Randfontein Police station commander also thanked everyone, including the CPF, who assisted the owner in getting back his stock, and appreciates that the community is working hand in hand with the police.

“Stock theft is a problem in our area, therefore it is advisable to brand all your stock in order to identify them easily, and to participate in neighbourhood watch programmes.”

He said farm animals are an important part of the daily lives of many people, but that owners or keepers are potential victims of stock theft.

The suspect will appear in the Randfontein Magistrates’ Court soon.

Anyone with information can make use of the my SAPS app or can contact the Crime Stop number on 0860010111 to report crime anonymously.