Eastern Cape police have recovered five of the 78 sheep, and three cattle valued at R36,000 that were reported stolen over the weekend.
In a bizarre incident, three boys aged between eight and 11 were arrested during police stock theft operations near King William’s Town earlier this week.
Police spokesperson Captain Khaya Tonjeni said 78 sheep had been reported stolen at the Cathcart police station. He said two suspects had been arrested. “The Queenstown Stock Theft Unit followed information about the missing stolen stock at Sada Township [In Whittlesea] where one sheep carcass was recovered from male suspects and another five sheep were recovered from the home of a second suspect.”
He said the recovered stock was positively identified by the owner and handed over.
Both suspects aged 28 and 38 are due to appear at the Cathcart magistrate’s court on Thursday for stock theft.
In a separate incident, Dutywa police recovered three cattle valued at R36,000. Police spokesperson Captain Jackson Manatha said no one was arrested. “The cattle have been given to their lawful owner.”
In another incident, a King William’s Town flying squad constable swam across a river chasing a stock theft suspect on Tuesday in Tyutyu village outside Bhisho. Police received information about a slaughtered cow at Yellow Wood farm outside King William’s Town.
Police spokesperson Captain Siphokazi Mawisa said seven suspects including three boys between eight and 11 had been arrested. She said the juveniles were later handed to social workers for assistance and four adult suspects were detained.
“It is alleged that the suspects slaughtered the stolen cow and sent young boys to collect the rest of the meat from the farm. The cow was slaughtered on Monday by the older suspects and they took some of the meat with them. Then the following day they sent the young boys to fetch the rest of the meat from the farm.” Mawisa said.
“The police caught the boys when they were coming from the farm with the meat. On investigation police proceeded to the house at Tyutyu village where the older suspects live. On arrival, police arrested three suspects and the other one ran away when he saw the police.”
She said police gave chase. “The suspect swam in the river between Sikhobeni and Tyutyu locations, and our constable from the flying squad followed him and swam across the river in order to apprehend the suspect.”
The suspects are due to appear at King William’s Town magistrate’s court on Thursday for stock theft.
Eastern Cape acting provincial commissioner Major-General Thembeka Dyantyi welcomed the arrests...