Four suspects aged between 19 and 64 are due to appear in the Ladysmith Magistrate’s Court tomorrow facing stock theft charges.
On Tuesday, the Ladysmith Stock Theft Unit received information from Ezakheni community members informing them of three stock theft suspects in the area. Three men were suspected of having been herding stolen goats through Ezakheni A- and B-Section. On arrival, the Stock Theft Unit officers arrested the suspected thieves in A-Section and then went to B-Section, where a fourth suspect was arrested. 10 goats were recovered.
An investigation into the ownership of the goats revealed that the livestock had been stolen in three separate incidents as far back as September 10. The goats were later identified by their owners, who hail from the Steadville, Umbulwane and St Chad’s areas. There are still two goats at the Ladysmith municipal pound, the ownership of which could not be established.
KwaZulu-Natal provincial commissioner Lieutenant General Mmamonnye Ngobeni has commended Ladysmith police and the community for their vigilance. “ Stock theft still remains a concern for police and we can only turn the tide if we have active participation from the community,” she said.
