POTCHEFSTROOM – Keamogetswe Tshepiso Maano (41) was granted R1000.00 bail upon appearance before the Atamelang Magistrates’ Court today on a charge of stock theft. She is expected to reappear at the same court on Wednesday, 23 March 2022. Meanwhile, the accused’s husband, who is facing the same charge, appeared in absentia as he is currently admitted to a hospital.

The accused were arrested in connection with a stock theft incident reported between Saturday, 15 and Monday, 17 May 2021. That was after the complainant reported that 11 of his cattle were stolen from his farm in the vicinity of Atamelang. Shortly after the incident on Friday, 21 May 2021, cattle fitting the description of those of the complainant, were found at a cattle post at Geysdorp with altered brand marks. The cattle were impounded for further investigations. Following an investigation by the Sannieshof Stock theft and Endangered Species (STES) Unit, two cattle were identified as those of the complainant. The others were kept impounded pending further investigations. Consequently, the DNA results came back positively indicating that the cattle belong to the complainant and this led to the arrest of the accused on Friday, 11 March 2022.

The Provincial Commissioner of North West, Lieutenant General Sello Kwena, congratulated the Sannieshof STES Unit members for their commitment that led to the arrest. He said that the police will continue to work hard to ensure that criminals are put behind bars. Furthermore, the Provincial Commissioner urged the farmers to brand mark their livestock in accordance with the Animal Identification Act, 2002 (Act No. 6 of 2002).

Source: South African Police Service