28 suspected stolen goats were seized from four suspects on Wednesday, October 9 in Weenen.
The recovered goats are believed to have been stolen from Ladysmith. The Pietermaritzburg Public Order Police (POP) Unit were following up information about a vehicle transporting stolen goats in Weenen when they spotted a Toyota Hilux bakkie with Durban registration plates.
When apprehended the four suspects who were in the vehicle failed to give a satisfactory explanation about the ownership of the goats. They were arrested and charged with possession of suspected stolen property.
Two of the goats were found dead. It is suspected that the goats died due to overcrowding. Mduduzi Xaba (28), Sphamandla Madondo (36), Bhekathule Ndakane (22) and Jabulani Sithole (23) appeared in Colenso Magistrate’s Court on Thursday, October 10 and were remanded in custody. A bail application will be heard in the Weenen Magistrates Court this Friday, October 18.
“An appeal is made to anyone whose goats were stolen or went missing to contact the Estcourt Stock Theft Unit (036 352 9537) to identify the recovered goats,” said police spokesperson Captain Thulani Zwane.
The Provincial Commissioner of KwaZulu- Natal is delighted with the ever alert members of Pietermaritzburg POP who made the arrests and recovered the goats. She appeals for police and stock owners to work together. “Owners must make sure that they brand mark their livestock as required by the law,” said Lieutenant General Mammonnye Ngobeni.
