REITZ - Eight suspects will appear in court after being caught red-handed while slaughtering alleged stolen sheep.

A joint operation was conducted between Reitz and Petrus Steyn police, where eight suspects were arrested after being found in possession of 48 slaughtered and 40 live sheep.

On 30 December 2022 at about 02:10, the Reitz police received an urgent call about an alleged theft of sheep in progress at a certain farm.

The Community Service Centre activated other police officials who managed to trace and find the suspects with bloody clothes, which led them to the recovery of 48 slaughtered and 40 live sheep in the field. The local farmer confirmed that the 88 sheep were stolen and are indeed his.

The police arrested eight suspects and seized five vehicles (three sedans and two bakkies). The eight suspects aged between 27 and 46 have been charged and are expected to appear before Reitz Magistrate Court facing charges of stock theft.

Source: South African Police Service