A joint operation by various Stock Theft Units in the Province, assisted by Crime Intelligence and station police officers, yielded positive results when they recovered a total of 276 suspected stolen livestock in the Northern part of KwaZulu-Natal.

The operation, from June 7 – 19,  saw police raid homes where stolen livestock was suspected to have been kept, farm visiting. controlling movement of stock, visiting abattoirs and pounds and general patrols.

The recovered livestock included 251 stolen cattle, 17 goats, six sheep and two horses. A pistol and dagga were also recovered during this successful operation. All recovered stock was positively identified and returned to the lawful owners. Twelve suspects were arrested for stealing livestock, six for animal identification, four for possession of dagga, one for possession of unlicensed firearm and ammunition and one for selling liquor without a license.

KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Commissioner, Lieutenant General Mmamonnye Ngobeni commended the members for conducting such operation in the province and arresting those allegedly involved in stealing livestock.

“We appeal to livestock owners to make sure that their stock is properly marked in terms of Animal Identification Act so that it will be easy to return them back to them if found. I am pleased that police officers are vigilant and monitoring the movement of stock throughout the year so that stock thieves can be nabbed,” she said.