Cattle stolen from Winterveldt have been recovered in Krugersdorp.
The 16 herd of cattle were being readied for auction when recovered on Tuesday.
Baruakgomo Farmers’ Association member Joshua Tshabalala said the find followed a tip-off from a Mozambican man who was arrested driving away suspected stolen cattle last week.
“The cattle were found in a kraal among eight others and we immediately contacted the local police but nobody has claimed the kraal so no one has been arrested,” he said.
ALSO READ: Livestock owners angry as alleged thief goes free
“We were able to identify 16 as belonging to a Winterveldt woman, Sylvia Mokoena, by their mark.”
They were returned to her.
“The Mozambican man was detained at Ga-Rankuwa police station and is being linked with a syndicate involved in the stock theft,” Tshabalala said.
Recently, a 57-year-old man believed to be from Krugersdorp, Jakob Marais, appeared in the Pretoria North Magistrate’s Court to face a charge of stock theft after a herd of four stolen cattle was found in his possession.
He was released on R2 500 bail.
Police spokesperson Constable Matsobane Mabusela said the case was postponed to 21 September.
ALSO READ: No arrest for livestock theft and slaughter
Marais was arrested by the Akasia police stock theft unit following a tip-off from the community.
“He was keeping the cattle in a small kraal in a bushy area near Rosslyn. The police believe the cattle were due to be sold to an abattoir,” said Mabusela.
Three men, believed to be his accomplices, escaped on foot during the police raid.
Chairperson of More-Odi farmers association Solly Motlhathlego said stock farmers were fed-up with the rising stock theft in Soshanguve, Mabopane, Ga-Rankuwa and neighbouring areas.
He said several farmers in the area had reported their cattle stolen recently.
“Residents recently told us they spotted a suspicious truck carrying cattle. We gave this information to the police and urged them to investigate,” he said.
ALSO READ: GRAPHIC IMAGE WARNING: Livestock theft a growing concern
He said one farmer came forward last week to report his herd of five had been stolen.
“Four were recovered,” he said.
Over recent weeks, the Krugersdorp police reported that the Magaliesburg area had also experienced an increase in stock theft.
“Sheep are stolen on a regular basis,” police spokesperson, Constable Rebecca Phithi told Krugersdorp News.
“Cases are opened but it is a difficult crime to police since the suspect could be anyone,” she said adding that the police relied heavily on the community to solve these cases.
ALSO READ: WARNING GRAPHIC IMAGE: Livestock slaughtered
Magaliesburg police station commander Lieutenant-Colonel Joyce Julla pleaded for any information regarding crime in her precinct to be brought to the attention of the police.
“If a resident wants to remain anonymous there are many ways to allow for that via crime stop at 08600 10111 or 10111,” said Phithi.
“An informant is at liberty to approach Julla directly by visiting her or branch commander of the detectives Lieutenant Motau or visible policing commander Captain Van Rooyen at the station.”
Do you have more information about the story? Please send us an email to editorial@rekord.co.za or phone us on 083 625 4114.
For free breaking and community news, visit Rekord’s websites:
For more news and interesting articles, like Rekord on Facebook, follow us on Twitter or Instagram
