It would seem that some people really struggle to leave other people's belongings alone—especially their livestock. This was again evident over the past Easter weekend, with several incidents of stock theft reported across the province.
On Thursday, 17 April, two male suspects appeared in the Magistrate's Court in Louis Trichardt after they were allegedly caught red-handed slaughtering suspected stolen cattle at Hamagau village in the Tshilwavhusiku policing area.
According to provincial police spokesperson Col Malesela Ledwaba, it is alleged that a shepherd was in a grazing field looking for his cattle when he suddenly came across two unknown men busy slaughtering his livestock. "The suspects noticed him and ran away. He chased them until he caught one of them. The police were immediately informed about the incident, and the investigation was kicked off, resulting in the arrest of the second suspect," said Ledwaba.
The slaughtered cattle were positively identified by the owner, and the two suspects were brought to court. They were identified as 40-year-old Nditsheni Nebonde and 30-year-old Gilbert Ndlovu. Nebonde was granted bail, while Ndlovu was remanded in custody until his next court appearance on 22 April for further police investigation.
In another incident over the weekend, the Musina Stock Theft Unit recovered 34 stolen sheep and arrested a 54-year-old suspect in connection with the theft on Saturday, 19 April, at Speaker Park outside Alldays. The Alldays area is notorious for its illegal hunting and stock-theft operations, which the Zoutpansberger has reported on many times in the past.
According to Ledwaba, the owner of a farm in the area had left his herd of sheep in the care of a shepherd on 10 April.
"On Saturday, 19 April, he was called by his shepherd, who informed him that the sheep (45 in total) had gone missing from the kraal. The incident was reported to the Alldays SAPS. The police, together with the farm owner, began searching for the missing sheep. They found 34 sheep kilometres away. The search continued, and they followed tracks until they discovered two sheep carcasses, four heads, intestines, legs, and five sheepskins hanging in a tree. The remaining 11 sheep are still missing," said Ledwaba.
The police launched a follow-up investigation, which led them to a suspect's house in Speaker Park Phase 2 outside Alldays. At the home, two sheep carcasses were found. The homeowner failed to provide proof of ownership of the sheep or the origin of the carcasses. He was then arrested and was scheduled to appear in the magistrate's court in Senwabarwana on Tuesday. In the meantime, the police have requested anyone with information that could lead to further arrests to contact the investigating officer, Sgt Jack Mokhwa of the Stock Theft and Endangered Species Unit in Musina, at tel. 071 612 1076. Alternatively, the Crime Stop number 08600 10111 or the MySAPSApp can be used.
A bit further from home, but also on Saturday, 19 April, a stock theft case was reported at the Mahwelereng SAPS (Mokopane), following the discovery of a vehicle fully loaded with cattle, driving around the George Masebe and Bakenburg areas in the Waterberg District at around 20:30.
"A swift response by members of the Modimolle Stock Theft Unit led to the discovery of a white Nissan bakkie and a trailer, both bearing Limpopo number plates, already offloading cattle. Preliminary investigations suggested that the suspects had been transporting approximately seven head of cattle and offloaded them in the Tinmyne policing area. The suspects, realising that the police were closing in, fled the scene on foot, leaving the vehicle and trailer behind," said Ledwaba.
The bakkie, trailer, and all the suspects' personal belongings, including a cellphone, were seized by police.
Anyone with information that may assist in the arrest of the suspects is urged to contact Capt Raisibe Bodiba of the Modimolle Stock Theft and Endangered Species Unit at tel. 082 319 9321 or the Crime Stop number 08600 10111. Alternatively, members of the public can visit their nearest police station or report information via the MySAPSApp.