POLOKWANE – Stock theft is on the rise with the festive season coming up, according to the provincial stock theft unit.
Provincial stock theft unit coordinator, Lt Col Alpheus Mokale, said specific strategies to combat stock theft in parts of Limpopo were already bearing fruit. He said stock theft not only affected the economy negatively, but also was also traumatic to the livestock owners, as they depended on their livestock for their livelihood. Stock theft was a priority crime in most provinces, he added.
Mokale said that, because stock thieves’ modus operandi differed all the time, ways of preventing stock theft also differed.
“Circumstances that are applicable to one farm, are not applicable to the neighbouring farm,” he explained.
Mokale further said the stock theft unit was making headway in curbing stock theft in the province.
He said according to the latest crime statistics available, which covered the period from April 2012 to March 2013, of the 6 991 cattle stolen, 3 881 were recovered.
“Some 4 690 goats were stolen and 1 711 recovered, 1 765 sheep were stolen and 460 were recovered. We arrested 1 188 suspects, including two police officials and five officials from different government departments, including a former mayor. The highest sentence was 15 months’ imprisonment and the maximum fine was R50 000.”
Mokale said from April to December last year, 4 549 cattle were stolen and 2 795 were recovered.
“We arrested 1 597 people and bust a syndicate that included business people, butchery owners, police officials and government officials. Of the arrested, 640 people were convicted of charges with the highest sentence being nine years’ imprisonment.” he said.
