Agriculture
Stock theft threatens emerging farmers─── SABRINA DEAN 18:17 Mon, 09 Mar 2015
Hobhouse - An emerging farmer in the Hobhouse area is on the verge of losing his livelihood after more than 120 of his sheep were stolen over the last few weeks.
This is according to Johan Kriel, Free state coordinator for the Grain SA Farmer Development Programme. He says Sello Matlolane has been left devastated by the latest theft, which saw thieves flee across the Lesotho border with 41 sheep at the weekend.
'Johan Kriel says he doesn't know what Matlolane is going to do:'
Kriel says there are at least two other emerging farmers, as well as commercial farmers, who are suffering under the onslaught of stock thieves in the region.
Ladybrand police spokesperson Martin Xuma has meanwhile confirmed the theft, saying Matlolane has lost upwards of 120 sheep since being targeted by thieves from December.
He says police have upped their blue and white operations, which sees farmers and police patrolling together, and adds other initiatives are also in place to try and curb stock theft in the area.
Sabrina Dean/OFM News
'Johan Kriel says he doesn't know what Matlolane is going to do:' :
