Several suspects were recently arrested following a successful operation between members of the Anti-Stocktheft and Utrecht SAPS members between October 13 and 15 in the Maskraal and Masondeza areas.

Newcastle SAPS Corporate Communications Officer, Lizzy Arumugam, said the operation produced significant results, with several stolen livestock recovered.

The recoveries included:

• Two cattle recovered at Rutland farm, Nyanyadu (valued at R29 000)
• 16 cattle recovered (valued at R190 000)
• Two goats recovered at Maskraal farm (valued at R5 000)
• Three goats recovered (valued at R7 000)
• Two goat skins and one goat recovered at Maskraal farm and Vidriet (valued at R3 000)
• One goat recovered at Vidriet (valued at R2 000)
• Two goats recovered in the Matiwane area, Elandslaagte (valued at R5 000)

In a separate incident, the Anti-Stock Theft Task Team recovered eight mixed-breed cattle valued at R95 000 and arrested three suspects.

All the accused have since appeared in the Madadeni Magistrate’s Court, and further police investigations are underway.

Amajuba District Commissioner, Major General Fred Alexander, expressed his gratitude to the team members for their dedication and effective work during their operation.

Arumugam has advised stock farmers to beef up their awareness to prevent theft:

What are the various methods used by stock thieves?

• Sophisticated criminal groups often operate across borders, sometimes colluding with farmworkers or auctioneers. They steal livestock and launder it through auctions or butcheries after rebranding.
• Small-scale or petty theft typically involves a few animals stolen for personal consumption, which can still be devastating to small-scale or subsistence farmers.
• Thieves are often most active during full moons, weekends, or month-ends. Grazing livestock in open fields, away from supervision, is especially vulnerable.
• Criminals take advantage of broken fences, unlocked gates, and inadequate security measures.
• Thieves may falsify or avoid removal certificates and identification documents required under the Stock Theft Act to evade detection.

Prevention strategies for the community:

Farm-level protection:

• Secure kraals and enclosures overnight. Maintain fences and gates in good repair and ensure they are always locked.
• Brand or tattoo livestock according to the Animal Identification Act, 2002 (Act 6 of 2002). Keep an accurate stock register detailing identification marks, sales, births, and deaths.
• Count all animals at least once a week and avoid predictable routines that thieves could exploit.
• Screen all staff carefully. Contact previous employers when hiring and avoid employing undocumented individuals.
• Install CCTV cameras, alarms, or motion sensors in sensitive areas. Use GPS trackers on high-value animals or herds.

Community-based cooperation:

• Join or establish local groups to share information, patrol areas, and report suspicious activity.
• Use communication channels such as WhatsApp groups to report suspicious people, vehicles, or unfamiliar animals in grazing areas.
• Alert authorities if animal speculators or outside dealers behave suspiciously.
• Implement a visitor system on your property. Do not allow idle visitors to loiter, and be cautious of those claiming to visit workers without permission.

What to do if you suspect or experience stock theft:

• Contact your nearest SAPS station by calling 10111 or Crime Stop at 08600 10111.
• Notify the specialised SAPS Stock Theft and Endangered Species Unit (STESU).

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