A total of 41 suspects have been arrested in stock theft related cases by Northern KZN police, including Ladysmith police.

A two-week operation by the Glencoe Stock Theft Unit, Ladysmith, Nqutu, Newcastle, Greytown, Wasbank, Nhlanhleni, Dannhauser Visible Policing and  Glencoe K9 Unit officers yielded results when they arrested over 40 suspects for stock theft related cases, including failing to brand-mark livestock in terms of the Animal Identification Act and possession of dagga.

During the operation, which started on June 22 and ended on July 4, police recovered a total of 29 suspected stolen cattle, four sheep, 46 goats and one bag of dagga.

These arrests and recoveries were made in various areas in the northern part of KwaZulu-Natal, including Glencoe, Dannhauser, Charlestown, Ekuvukeni, Elandslaagte and Ezakheni. The arrested suspects were charged with stock theft, failing to brand-mark livestock and possession of dagga, and have appeared in various courts in the province.

The KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Commissioner, Lieutenant General Mmamonnye Ngobeni, expressed confidence in the current crime prevention and detection strategy to fight stock theft in KZN.

“We will continue to fight stock theft in partnership with rural livestock owners. We urge them to properly brand-mark their livestock for speedy identification purposes and also advise them to take necessary precautions to safeguard their livestock while grazing. We commend the substantial recovery of stolen livestock and the arrest of suspects,” said Lt General Ngobeni.