Stolen stock recovered – is it yours?

VRYHEID Stock Theft Unit embarked on crime prevention operations from October 10-21, including roadblocks, tracing for wanted suspects and raiding abattoirs and butcheries, with the aim of reducing stock theft in the area.
During their operations, the members recovered a total of 57 suspected stolen cattle in the area. Most of these cattle were not brand-marked which makes it difficult for the police to get hold of the owners. A total of seven suspects were linked to stock theft in the area, and they have already appeared in court. In addition, 31 livestock owners were also charged for failing to brand-mark their stock and were issues with fines up to R50 each.
The recovered cattle were impounded in the Mondlo pound and no one has yet come forward to identify them. We appeal to anyone whose cattle went missing or were stolen to contact Vryheid Stock Theft Unit commander, Lt Colonel Ntombenhle Mbele, at 034 9896800 during office hours.
“We commend the community-police partnership in tackling stock theft in the Vryheid area which resulted to the recovery of suspected stolen cattle and arrest of cattle thieves,” said KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Commissioner, Lieutenant General Mmamonnye Ngobeni. “Successful stock theft investigation stems from proactive vigilance of the community and livestock owners,” he added. “We urge all subsistence and commercial livestock owners to brand their livestock appropriately, and SAPS Stock Theft Units are readily available for assistance and guidance,”
– Captain Zwane, KZN Media Centre, SAPS.