MUST READ: Stock theft suspects arrested in Utrecht

CSC members found a cattle carcass loaded in the back of the vehicle. Occupants of the vehicle were escorted to the closest police station so the matter could be investigated further.

April 6, 2018

F.C. Pelser 1 minute read

Stock theft suspects arrested. Stock image-

On Tuesday (March 27) at around 4pm, CSC members in Utrecht performed strategic patrols along the P483 (oSizweni/ Utrecht Road).

During these patrols, Warrant Officer ZA Mabele, Constables ME. Zikalala, PW Kubheka, BP Nyembe, KD Msibi and NE Sithole, under the command of Warrant Officer JS Mjiyakho, spotted a suspicious vehicle. They immediately called for backup.

ALSO READ: MUST READ: Livestock owners warned of stock theft scam

Upon further investigation of the Mazda bakkie, CSC members found a cattle carcass loaded in the back of the vehicle. Occupants of the vehicle were escorted to the closest police station so the matter could be investigated further.

One of the occupants of the vehicle, a 51-year-old pastor, explained that he bought the beast from two, 21-year-old suspects for R3 000.

According to officials, the suspects later admitted the cow was stolen from a farm between Utrecht and Paulpietersburg and was sold to the pastor for an Easter Feast.

The Stock Theft Unit was called in for investigation, and the dead animal’s hide was recovered, enabling officials to identify the owner of the cow by brand marks on the hide.

The farmer was contacted and confirmed that one of his oxen was indeed missing.

According to police, the owner was happy his cow had been found, but upset it had been slaughtered.

“He also appreciated work done by the police, saying that criminals should be warned police were tracking them,” said SAPS Communication and Liaison Officer, Lizzy Arumugam.

“Members that were involved in the arrest of these suspects are commended for their sterling work, as stock theft is a huge problem in the area. These arrests somehow assist in decreasing this issue in a long term approach.”