This number was revealed during the release of the second quarter’s crime statistics by Minister of Police, Bheki Cele. The minister also revealed that even though stock theft cases showed a decline during the second quarter, this was not the case for the Northern Cape. Here is Cele…

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Cele says stock theft is a serious problem that needs urgent attention by not only the South African Police Service (SAPS) but other stakeholders as well. He says he met with farmers in the Free State, who reached out to the SAPS and himself calling for intervention in the theft of livestock.

The minister says that during the three months of reporting, 7 339 livestock theft cases were reported nationwide. He adds that about 26 322 sheep and more than 14 000 cattle were stolen during this period.

He says a task team has been set up to investigate stock theft in the Free State which he is confident will yield positive results. This comes after farmers in October this year voiced their concern with stock theft in the Paul Roux-, Senekal-, and Bethlehem districts in the province.

Meanwhile, the provincial police commissioner, Baile Motswenyane, said during a ministerial rural safety Imbizo in Bethlehem, that the province will from now on prioritise stock theft cases. This as many of those who are implicated in murder and rape cases, amongst other crimes, were previously arrested for stock theft.

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