On Wednesday evening, 6 April 2022, a shepherd went to investigate after hearing strange noises coming from a kraal in Majemantsho village outside Mahikeng. He surprised two suspects who were busy loading cattle. Upon seeing the shepherd, the suspects fled the scene, leaving behind two vehicles with trailers, five cows, one bull and two calves. Neighbouring farmers were mobilised and due to their active participation, two suspects, aged 35 and 26, were apprehended and handed over to the police. A firearm as well as the cattle to an estimated value of R100 000.00, were recovered.

Both suspects are expected to appear before the Molopo Magistrates’ Court in Mmabatho on Monday, 11 April 2022 on charges of stock theft and unlawful possession of firearm.

In another unrelated incident in Mogwase, close to Rustenburg, an intelligence driven operation by a multi-disciplinary disciplinary team consisting of Detectives from the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (DPCI) and numerous police Units in Rustenburg, resulted in a search of two houses on Saturday, 9 April 2022. Subsequently, two suspects aged 30 and 43, were arrested and a stolen meat cutter machine (stolen in February 2022 from a local butchery) as well as a rifle and three slaughtered cows were seized.

The suspects are expected to appear before the Mogwase Magistrates’ Court on Monday, 11 April 2022, for possession of suspected stolen property, possession of an unlicensed firearm and ammunition and the negligent handling of a firearm.

The Provincial Commissioner of North West, Lieutenant General Sello Kwena, thanked the community and the police for their collaboration that resulted in the arrest of the suspects. He said that the police will continue to work hard to ensure that criminals are put behind bars. He further 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