Nelspruit: 19 August 2022- Police in Mpumalanga have heard the outcry by farmers and are working hard to address this situation as criminals target their livestock. As a result, two suspects aged 27 and 43 were arrested, through information provided by the intelligence structure. They were nabbed between Amersfoort and Morgenzon for allegedly stealing nine cattles on 18 August 2022 around 02h15 am.
Police received information about a mission of stealing cattle’s in Amersfoort. They then responded swiftly where they approached the two suspects guiding the cattles. When the police questioned them about the cattles they failed to give a valid reason as to where were they heading to with the cattle’s. One suspect was immediately arrested meanwhile the other suddenly became violent and fought the police with a panga then flee the scene. However after some few hours he was traced and arrested as well. They were both charged for stock theft and attempted murder.
They will appear in the Amersfoort Magistrate’s Court, soon, facing the said charges. Meanwhile the owner of the cattle was located and managed to positively identified his livestock. The cattle were then handed back to him.
The Provincial Commissioner of the SAPS in Mpumalanga, Lieutenant General Semakaleng Daphney Manamela has welcomed the arrest and emphasised farmers the importance of putting an end to stock theft by discouraging people from buying suspected stolen items. "Whilst we alert the farmers to be vigilant and not allow their livestock to linger around without anyone taking care. Besides serious road accidents caused by stray animals, criminals can take advantage to steal such livestock. We further plead with the general public not to purchase meat that is suspected to have been stolen" said the General.