The Randfontein police together with members of the Stock Theft Unit and Agriculture held a rural safety community engagement at Lund Auctioneers on Wednesday, June 15.

Randfontein Police spokesperson Sergeant Carmen Hendricks said as livestock is important to the livelihoods of farmers, consumers and labourers throughout the communities, “The community were educated on marking their livestock according to the Animal Identification Act 6 of 2002, because they will be able to identify and have proof of their animals and livestock in case of stock theft.

Owners should ensure that all fences and gates are kept in good order and holes are repaired.”

Hendricks added that owners should count their livestock and if they find that some are missing or there are signs of possible theft it should be reported immediately. They need to make sure that their animals are healthy to stop the spread of animal diseases. They were also educated of foot and mouth disease, veterinary law enforcement, and food-safety awareness.

She said two J534 fines were issued to livestock owners.

They handed out 300 pamphlets and the community were advised to work with the police and to make sure that their safety is a priority.