Police nab stock thieves in big N KZN operation
All recovered livestock were positively identified by lawful owners and handed back to them
The ‘Two-week Safer Festive Season Operation,’ conducted in the Nqutu, Nondweni and Kingsley areas, yielded positive results when over 30 stolen cattle, goats and sheep were recovered and several people were arrested.
A joint operation by the Nqutu Stock Theft Unit assisted by theGlencoe K9 unit, Kingsley police, Nqutu police and Dundee Crime Intelligence, was conducted from December 11-23 2016, focusing on stolen livestock and wanted suspects. During this operation, 11 stolen cattle, 11 goats and the same number of sheep were recovered. Six suspects were linked to stock theft cases and were charged.
Other recoveries included dagga, an unlicensed revolver and shotgun, three rolls of fence and 31 tower batteries
All recovered livestock were positively identified by lawful owners and handed back to them. Other recoveries included dagga, an unlicensed revolver and shotgun, three rolls of fence and 31 tower batteries. One hundred and nine suspects were arrested for failing to brand mark their livestock, seven arrested for possession of dagga slopes, two for possession of unlicensed firearm and ammunition, two for theft of fence, one for theft of tower batteries and two for Road Traffic Offences.
All arrested suspects appeared in various magistrate’s courts.
KwaZulu-Natal Acting Provincial Commissioner, Major General Bheki Langa, commended the work done by the members.
“Our members will continue with such operations which includes roadblocks, visibility and other operations in our province. We also appeal to the community to continue with their support in the fight against crime by providing valuable information to the police about crime activities in their areas,’ he said
