Livestock theft on the rise in Bronkhorstspruit
One of the residents lost stock worth R21 000 as criminals looted his farm during the night.
Farmers in the far east of Pretoria suffer as livestock theft has risen in the past three months.
Since June, 16 cases of livestock theft have been opened at the Bronkhorstspruit police station.
Police spokesperson Constable Munyadziwa Cathrine Ramovha said one of the farmers lost livestock worth R21 000 when criminals cut open his Roodepoort farm fence last Thursday.
“This happened at around 18:00 and 21:00, the complainant left his premises and everything was in order.
“The next day his worker called him and told him that the livestock was stolen.
“He went to check and found that the fence was cut open and seven sheep and three goats were stolen.”
Ramovha said areas most affected by this crime included Roodepoort, Vaalbank and Witfontein. She said the stealing usually happened on Tuesday and Thursday nights.
“Stock owners are advised to brand their livestock, especially cows, goats and sheep that are being targeted in those areas,” she said.
“The community is encouraged to form structures and come up with communication systems to reach each other easily and effectively.”
She said the police station management appointed sector managers to curb the stock theft.
“Sergeant Makwarela and Constable Nofihla can be contacted on 071 675 6202 to report any suspicious activities within the areas.”
Bronkhorstspruit is not the only area that has been affected by stock theft.
Earlier this month, a man was arrested after he was caught in possession of 25 cows stolen from a farm in Rust de Winter.
Kameeldrift police arrested a white Ford bakkie driver with a trailer full of stock near to Cullinan off-ramp.
Police said the man said he was transporting the cows to Soshanguve but failed to produce the relevant documentation for the livestock and was arrested.
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: Rekord East
For more news and interesting articles, like Rekord on Facebook, follow us on Twitter or Instagram
