TULANI NGWENYA
DELMAS – 865 cases were opened in the province involving stock theft in the last quarter. Stock theft goes unchecked in the province and this has become a grave challenge emerging and commercial farmers.
Livestock to the value of R1.24 billion has been stolen in South Africa during the 2018/2019 year, according to the National Stock Theft Prevention Forum.
Farmers are resorting to all types of security measures to protect their produce and property. Others have even gone to the extent of hiring helicopters to track down stolen cattle.
In 2020 between July and September, 7 339 cases of stock theft countrywide were reported. Over 26 300 sheep and 14 000 cattle stolen.
In Delmas and the surrounding farming communties, maize and potatoes are mostly stolen from the farms by known Nyaope addicts who sell the produce cheap in nearby townships like Botleng. Investigations by Timeless News have also discovered that stock theft especially chickens and cattle were rampant in Delmas.
There are reports of allegede organised syndicates that are working in cohorts with suspected law enforcement to carry out large scale stock theft and either moving them to other places or slaughtering for meat.
Commenting on anonymity, a Delmas, Botleng Extension 7 resident spoke with Timeless News saying, “It is very easy to get a cow here especially during holidays and other family and traditional events. From R3000.00 you can get a good sized cow for meat. The boys get them from the farms.”
Commercial farmers are spending lots of money on security to protect their livestock and property. Their protection is ensured however it is the small farmer who is being targeted by criminal elements and syndicates who turn to steal from these emerging and subsistanc farmers.
The Minister of Police, Bhekhi Cele has admitted that stock theft is a nightmare and he has sworn to improve the situation, however stock theft levels have increased.
A Delmas township cattle owner spome to the Timeless News commenting on stock theft, “Even here in the township with our few cattle face similar challenges. We suspect that theft is not being done to increase size of herds but for meat and profit. Clearly these are seasoned syndicates who are organised and dangerous.”
Image shows an animal carcase recovered by the SAPS in connection with stock-theft
