POLOKWANE - Concerted efforts by the Stock Theft Unit in the Sekhukhune District to fight the theft of stock in the area yielded positive results with the recovery of 37 goats, arrest of four suspects and confiscation of two vehicles as well as a firearm. This after the Police in Nebo, led by the Station Commander, arrested four male suspects aged between 21and 38 and subsequently recovered (37) suspected stolen goats and two motor vehicles during the joint operations starting from Friday 06 January 2023 to Saturday morning, 07 January 2023.

An intelligence driven operation was conducted in Nebo policing precinct in the early hours of Friday 06 January 2023 by members of Detectives, Vispol, Stock Theft and Designated Police for Firearms, Liquor and Second Hand Goods unit following the tip off on the problem of theft of livestock in the area.

Police acted on the information received and conducted a roadblock as well as stop and search Operations at Glencowie and they managed to arrest two male suspects aged 33 and 38 respectively and in the process recovered twenty one (21) goats and also confiscated a vehicle used to transport the goats, the Ford Ranger. The same team followed up on information and managed to arrest one suspect in Burgerfort who was awaiting for a payment and subsequently the team proceeded to Mecklenburg Policing area and further arrested the fourth suspect who is from a village where goats were stolen. The same day two more goats were confiscated in Monsterlloos. On Saturday 07 January 2022 at about 04:00 during stop and search, police chased a bakkie which the driver, alighted and fled on foot abandoning it with 14 goats inside.

The four suspects two in Nebo and two in Mecklenburg are expected to appear before the two Magistrate Courts on Monday 09 January 2023 facing the charges of possession of suspected stolen livestock and other related charges.

Source: South African Police Service