While hundreds of cases of stock theft were reported to the police in Gauteng between March 2017 and September 2018, the West Rand did not have a single reported case, according to the DA.
Ina Cilliers, MPL and DA Gauteng Shadow MEC for Agriculture and Rural Development, said in a statement this week, “A total of 1 609 cases of stock theft were reported to police in the province in that period, with 1 159 cases occurring in the 2017/ 18 period, and six months into the next financial year, 450 cases have already been reported. This compared to 903 cases in 2014/ 15, 888 cases in 2015/ 16, and 1 016 cases during the 2016/ 17 financial year.
“These latest reported cases involved the theft of 3 123 head of cattle, 2 907 sheep, 266 pigs, 2 269 goats and 41 donkeys or horses at a conservative estimated value upward of R40 million.”
She said according to a written reply received from the MEC, the Tshwane region appears to be hardest hit, while the West Rand did not have a single reported case during this period.
“Recent research suggests that farmers are increasingly reluctant to report stock theft to police citing reasons such as a lack of trust in police processes and a breakdown in the relationship between farmers and police. The apparent absence of stock theft on the West Rand according to police records further bears this out, and casts serious aspersions on the reply received from police.
“Furthermore, the conviction rate of merely 17 per cent of reported cases in Gauteng over the period in question brings home the realisation that farmers would rather try to stay economically viable in favour of engaging the police in a burdensome and futile exercise of reporting crime.
“In Gauteng especially, the rural crime hot spot of the country, a conversation about the future of agri-business can no longer be credible without also including the serious challenges farmers face regarding rural crimes.”
She added that the police are increasingly unable to protect rural communities.
“The DA has long held that specialised rural safety units must be re-introduced and properly resourced. Separate and accurate statistics regarding rural crime must be maintained so that statistical analysis can be employed to enhance intelligence and police operations. Innovation in new technology such as surveillance drones, Shot Spotter and geo-fencing must be explored as a matter of urgency.
“This is an integral part of professionalising the police force, which is part of our core offering, and will also help ensure our continued food security in Gauteng.”
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