MEC Butana Komphela announced breakthrough in apprehending stock theft criminals
The MEC for Police, Road and Transport, Butana Komphela announced that the Free State Police made a big breakthrough combatting stock-theft in the province.
The police caught five criminals red-handed on Monday 9 March 2015 when they were trying to steal 23 cattle from the farm of Abraham Smith near Bultfontein. The stolen cattle were already loaded on a truck when police caught and arrested the criminals on the spot. It is also suspected that these five criminals are part of a syndicate that is stealing live stock in the province.
The MEC lauded the police involved in the operation for stopping the criminals. “There is no space for criminals in the province,” says Hon Komphela.
The owner of the animals, Mr. Abraham Smith, is very grateful for the police apprehending the criminals and returning his life stock. Cattle-theft was not a huge concern in the area but in the past a lot of sheep were stolen and this forces Smith to only farm with cattle.
Provincial Commissioner of Police, Lt. Gen. Thabethe Mpembe, also said that this success is a result of the implementation of the rural safety plan that is now showing positive results.
