Two East London farms were raided this week as police and farmers cracked down on rampant stocktheft costing millions of rands in losses.
The farms, one along the N6 and one in Mooiplaas, are believed to be owned by farmers allegedly involved in the business of selling stolen livestock.
In a two-day raid, 18 cattle and seven sheep were found on the two properties.
Cambridge police spokesman Captain Mluleki Mbi confirmed this, saying police managed to recover some of the stolen livestock.
“We can confirm that there are cases that were reported and registered of stolen livestock at Blue Water police station. We can also confirm that some of the livestock have been recovered and returned to their owners,” said Mbi.
Two people were arrested and two are on the run. One is believed to have escaped police custody, but that could not be confirmed yesterday.
Blue Water farmer Jason Winrow said stocktheft was getting out of control. Over the weekend, 18 of his cattle vanished but they were later recovered.
“I never lost big stock like this but on Sunday we noticed that 18 of my cattle were stolen. I am lucky to have found them still alive but disappointed that they were bought from thieves by a farmer who is in the same business as us,” said Winrow.
He said he had to spend money to return his cattle to his farm.
“How many other farmers who are victims of these people were not so lucky to get their livestock back? Police need to arrest this farmer and make sure that he spends time in jail so that this could be a lesson to others.”
Another farmer, Aubrey Freitag, said millions had been lost by farmers in areas like Mooiplaas, Blue Water and Gwaba due to stocktheft.
Freitag said some of the stolen cattle could sell for anything from R8000 up.
On Monday the Dispatch team was invited to a farm raid along the N6 where 10 stolen cattle and seven sheep were found by police and farmers.
The owner of the farm, who cannot be identified as he is still being investigated by police, said he paid more than R40000 for the cattle “but didn’t receive a receipt” from the seller.
Police investigators questioned him about buying livestock without proper documentation, saying that was part of a crime.
In yesterday’s raid in Mooiplaas, police found eight stolen cattle and more than 10 that were not immediately identified.
Two vehicles believed to have been bought from the proceeds of the crime, were also found on the Mooiplaas farm.
The police said they would continue with more raids until those behind the crime were behind bars.
Stocktheft breakthrough
The farms, one along the N6 and one in Mooiplaas, are believed to be owned by farmers allegedly involved in the business of selling stolen livestock.
In a two-day raid, 18 cattle and seven sheep were found on the two properties.
Cambridge police spokesman Captain Mluleki Mbi confirmed this, saying police managed to recover some of the stolen livestock.
“We can confirm that there are cases that were reported and registered of stolen livestock at Blue Water police station. We can also confirm that some of the livestock have been recovered and returned to their owners,” said Mbi.
Two people were arrested and two are on the run. One is believed to have escaped police custody, but that could not be confirmed yesterday.
Blue Water farmer Jason Winrow said stocktheft was getting out of control. Over the weekend, 18 of his cattle vanished but they were later recovered.
“I never lost big stock like this but on Sunday we noticed that 18 of my cattle were stolen. I am lucky to have found them still alive but disappointed that they were bought from thieves by a farmer who is in the same business as us,” said Winrow.
He said he had to spend money to return his cattle to his farm.
“How many other farmers who are victims of these people were not so lucky to get their livestock back? Police need to arrest this farmer and make sure that he spends time in jail so that this could be a lesson to others.”
Another farmer, Aubrey Freitag, said millions had been lost by farmers in areas like Mooiplaas, Blue Water and Gwaba due to stocktheft.
Freitag said some of the stolen cattle could sell for anything from R8000 up.
On Monday the Dispatch team was invited to a farm raid along the N6 where 10 stolen cattle and seven sheep were found by police and farmers.
The owner of the farm, who cannot be identified as he is still being investigated by police, said he paid more than R40000 for the cattle “but didn’t receive a receipt” from the seller.
Police investigators questioned him about buying livestock without proper documentation, saying that was part of a crime.
In yesterday’s raid in Mooiplaas, police found eight stolen cattle and more than 10 that were not immediately identified.
Two vehicles believed to have been bought from the proceeds of the crime, were also found on the Mooiplaas farm.
The police said they would continue with more raids until those behind the crime were behind bars.
Would you like to comment on this article?
Register (it's quick and free) or sign in now.
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.
Trending Now
Latest Videos