This is according to Police Minister, Bheki Cele, who along with National Police Commissioner Khehla Sitole, and head of police crime research and statistics Norman Sekhukhune, revealed in a briefing to members of the Portfolio Committee on Police today that stock theft increased by 2,9% over the course of 2018/19. It is the biggest increase in the property-related crime category, a category that saw a 2,5% decline overall, making stock theft the rotten apple in the bunch. Cattle, sheep, and goats have been identified as the target of most criminals.

Sekhukhune says the increase in stock theft needs to be addressed urgently. “Stock theft has been increasing across all nine provinces,” says Sekhukhune. He adds that the value of the stolen animals is millions. He is deeply concerned about the victims of the theft who rely on the animals to pay for educating their children and feeding their families.

OFM News