Farmers from both white and black communities have voiced serious concerns over the rising incidents of stock theft, which they describe as a pandemic affecting their livelihoods.
In a recent community engagement in Hlobane and Vaalbank, farmers, traditional leaders, and residents met with Police Minister Senzo Mchunu to address rural crime, with a focus on stock theft and safety in northern KwaZulu-Natal.
Minister Mchunu was joined by Zululand District Commissioner, Major-General Khumalo, and other senior SAPS officials. The meeting aimed to improve collaboration between the police and the rural communities hardest hit by this ongoing threat.
Farmers shared how relentless stock theft is impacting their lives, with one female farmer recounting that she had lost 20 head of cattle, some of which were later found slaughtered in a bush.
Farmers claimed that they are being abused by criminals who target their cattle and later sell the meat cheaply at taxi ranks and ‘on the street’.

Some farmers accused the police of failing them and working with criminals to steal cattle and profit. The farmers also sounded a warning to the minister that they would take the law into their own hands as they no longer have trust in the police or the stock theft unit in the Zululand District.
Responding, Mchunu suggested that steps be taken to rotate stock theft unit officers to ensure members do not get too comfortable in one area.’
Mabutho Mtshali, chairperson of the KwaZulu-Natal Community Policing Forum, explained that while other crimes are also affecting the area, the ‘burning issue is stock theft’.
The meeting heard that Izinduna had contacted General Khumalo in a bid to ask him to intervene, which he is presently doing.
The meeting concluded with residents expressing hope that the engagement would lead to meaningful change rather than empty speeches, saying they want to see a real decline in crime levels and a renewed commitment from police to protect and serve the community.

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The news provided to you in this link comes to you from the editorial staff of the Vryheid Herald, a sold newspaper distributed in the Vryheid area.