Seven suspects to appear in court, stolen livestock recovered in the North West
In an endeavour to strengthen the fight against stock theft in collaboration with members of the community, seven suspects will on Tuesday, 14 April 2020 appear in the Ottosdal and Swartruggens Magistrates’ Courts on charges of stock theft and possession of suspected stolen goods.
In the first incident in Ottosdal, five suspects aged between 27 and 42 were on Friday, 10 April 2020 arrested at a certain house in Letsopa Location outside Ottosdal by Sannieshof Stock theft Unit. That was after the police reacted to a tip-off that suspected stolen livestock were kept at a house in Letsopa. Consequently, 20 of 21 sheep which were reported stolen at a farm outside Ottosdal on Thursday, 9 April 2020, were recovered.
In another separate incident, two suspects aged 31 will appear in the Swartruggens Magistrates’ Court after being arrested for stock theft. The suspects’ court appearance follows their apprehension on Friday, 10 April 2020 at Reagile Location outside Koster after members of the public alerted the police about males who were allegedly seen slaughtering a sheep at an open field. Upon arrival of the police at the scene, the suspects fled, but the long arm of the law caught up with them. As a result, 28 sheep were recovered and linked to a case of stock theft in which 40 sheep were reportedly stolen at farm in the vicinity of Swartruggens in the early hours of Friday morning.
The Provincial Commissioner of North West, Lieutenant General Sello Kwena commended members for their swift reaction that led to the arrests and the recovery of the livestock. He also thanked members of the community for coming forth with valuable information and indicated that active participation of the community is key in the fight against crime.
Play your part to curb stock theft, helpful hints to prevent stock theft https://t.co/ozcp5iV9jj #ArriveAlive #StockTheft pic.twitter.com/tgBv5T4Q9R
— Arrive Alive (@_ArriveAlive) November 23, 2018
