POTCHEFSTROOM – A 27-year-old man is expected to appear before the Ganyesa Magistrate’s Court on Friday, 12 November 2021, on a charge of stock theft.

The suspect’s court appearance stems from his apprehension on Wednesday, 10 November 2021 at about 15:00. It is alleged that police in Morokweng received information about goats that were hidden in a certain house in Lokalaneng Section in Morokweng. The information was operationalised and the swift reaction by Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati District Detectives and members from Vryburg Stock Theft and the Endangered Species Unit (STES) pounced on the suspect. Out of 18 goats that were reported stolen at Caffhill Farm, near Morokweng on Friday, 5 November 2021, 13 were recovered and will be handed back to the lawful owner.

The arrest of the suspect coincided with the Provincial Commissioner’s stock theft awareness campaign that was held earlier on the same day in Ganyesa. The event was aimed at combatting stock theft as well as to activate the Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati Rural Safety and Community in Blue Priority Committee. After the release of Crime Statistics for the 4th Quarter of 2020/2021 by the Minister of Police, General Bheki Cele indicated an increase of cases, related to stock theft in Ganyesa.

The Provincial Commissioner of North West, Lieutenant General Sello Kwena, has applauded members of the community for their vigilance. He urged them to continue reporting suspicious criminal activities within their communities and said this success is a perfect example of Police/Community partnership where crime is combatted, leading to a safe environment. During the event, the Provincial Commissioner emphasised that stock theft is a high priority for police as it threatens food security, which is a basic human need.

Source: South African Police Service