Bungeni community concerned about stock theft

The residents of Bungeni Mabodlonweni Village in the Hlanganani area are seriously concerned about the safety of their cattle. This comes after four people were arrested last Friday while trying to steal some of the cattle that belong to members o...

Apparently when the suspects were arrested, they had already killed one of the three cattle they were trying to steal.

The problem of stock theft, according to the villagers, has been happening in the village for some time now. They further revealed to Mirror that the problem would never be solved "because there are even members of the Waterval police who are also involved in the scam".

"We are afraid to deeply get involved or report the matter as the person might do a very bad thing to us and our families. It really pains us as our cattle are being stolen," they said.

The community development officer, Mr Eric Maluleke, told Mirror that many cattle were stolen in January this year, including some belonging to the Chief.

Insp Kedibone Mabatha of the Waterval police confirmed that the Makhado police's stock theft unit has opened a case of stock theft. He added that four suspects were arrested. Two have turned state witness and the other two, Derick Maluleke (45) and Richard Mtileni (46), remain in custody. They have already appeared in the Waterval Magistrate's court and the case was postponed to July 14.

Headman Simon Mabunda confirmed the incident and said similar incidents had taken place in the past. "The people who steal our cattle sell them during the issuing of pension grants in the village. It is very hard for me and community members in my village. The police have at last arrested some of the suspects, but the stealing of cattle has been happening in the village for quite some time now," he said.