AfriForum calls for probe into police involvement in livestock theft

Civil rights organisation AfriForum is demanding a formal national investigation into police involvement in livestock theft. This demand follows the arrest of a member of the Standerton Livestock Theft Unit, Constable Siyabonga Cindi, last week.

Cindi, who appeared in the Amersfoort court on September 2, faces charges related to the theft of about R450 000 worth of cattle in Standerton, Greylingstad and Perdekop.

AfriForum emphasises that a national investigation into the involvement of SAPS members in livestock theft is essential because Cindi’s case is not unique.

In March, Mokete Jacob Mokoena, the station commander at the Tweeling Police Station, was found guilty of livestock theft, and in July 2021, five SAPS members in the Free State were arrested on charges of livestock theft, perjury and defeating the ends of justice.

In 2019, Free State farmers submitted a report to the Hawks containing extensive information about an organised livestock theft syndicate in the province.

The report included, among other things, the names of suspects and evidence of police involvement in the network. These ongoing cases of police involvement, therefore, require an investigation, the civil rights organisation stresses.

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According to Jacques Broodryk, the chief spokesperson for Community Safety at AfriForum, the involvement of so-called protectors of the farming community in livestock theft is extremely concerning.

“Despite years of information, evidence and convictions showing police involvement in livestock theft, it seems not much is being done to eradicate the problem. The police’s involvement undermines the fight the farming community is waging against this multimillion-rand crime. It also puts lives at risk and threatens the financial survival of farmers,” he explains.

“Corrupt police officers, especially those in livestock theft units, who are involved in such crimes, tarnish the good work of honest and dedicated members and further erode the little public trust left in the SAPS.

“We can no longer allow the very people and units established to protect farmers and their livestock to continue committing crimes with impunity. Criminality in the police must be entirely eradicated, and therefore, an urgent and transparent investigation is essential,” Broodryk concludes.

Hennie Bekker, AfriForum’s district co-ordinator for the Highveld, meanwhile, emphasises that Cindi abused his position of power as a police officer to enrich himself and was, through his involvement in the Livestock Theft Unit, in a position to conceal his crimes.

“However, it is encouraging to know that justice also catches up with those who have the resources and means to try to evade it. We will continue to monitor Cindi’s case to ensure justice is served,” he says.

Since June, AfriForum has made a training programme available to the organisation’s 170 neighbourhood and farm watch groups to equip these civilian crime-fighting teams with specialised knowledge to combat livestock theft.

These and other courses, including a specialised tracking course, which AfriForum offers for free to its neighbourhood and Farm Watch members, empower members with the knowledge and skills to tackle the severe crime plaguing rural communities.

This training has already borne fruit, and AfriForum’s neighbourhood and farm watch groups have already been involved in several successful livestock theft prevention operations.

Cindi’s bail application was postponed until September 29, and he remains in custody. In the meantime, AfriForum began an online petition to oppose bail for Cindi and other alleged livestock thieves.