A RECENT spate of pigs being stolen from a farm in Shelly Beach has got police investigating whether a syndicate is targeting the South Coast.
According to police spokesman, Lieutenant-Colonel Zandra Wiid, pig farmer, Fred Swart reported to police that pigs were being taken from a pen, slaughtered and carried away by the perpetrators.
“Although a spoor had been picked up by Port Shepstone K9 unit officers, the police dogs could only detect the spoor up to a certain point,” she said.
Five stock theft cases have already been opened and 16 pigs have been stolen from Mr Swart’s farm to date.
“All pig farmers on the South Coast seem to be having a problem with theft,” said Mr Swart.
“There are about eight pig farmers between Shelly Beach and Munster and all have had incidents.
I have lost around 16 pigs in about two months, – Fred Swart
He added that he has had problems since 2011. “We can’t sleep at night, wondering if there’s someone on the farm,” he said.
In a separate incident in April this year, three pigs were stolen and one slaughtered on a farm in Busy Vales, near Southbroom.
No arrests have been made and police are investigating. Anyone with any information regarding the stolen pigs or pork meat being sold, is asked to contact Constable Rouen Govender at 039 6881090 or 076 4655552.
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