Central SA
Free State police continue to intensify efforts against stock theft syndicates─── KEKELETSO MOSEBETSI 10:07 Sat, 19 Jul 2025
The Free State police are continuing to step up their crackdown on stock theft syndicates after the arrest of three suspects linked to the theft of Merino sheep worth approximately R49,900.
The arrests, made on Friday (18/7), come after a coordinated operation targeting the perpetrators of a string of stock thefts across the province.
The multi-disciplinary stock theft prevention operation, which began on Thursday (17/7) at 10:00, was launched in response to intelligence reports indicating that a group of male suspects were planning to steal livestock from a farm in Edenburg. Free State police spokesperson, Mahlomola Kareli, provided details of the operation, emphasising the police's swift and strategic actions.
Kareli stated that, in the early hours of Friday, at approximately 4:30 AM, the operational team intercepted a white Mercedes-Benz panel van on the N6 near Reddersburg, heading toward Bloemfontein. A search of the vehicle revealed stolen sheep packed inside, confirming the intelligence-led operation was successful.
Three men – aged 39, 32, and 29 – were arrested on charges of possession of suspected stolen sheep and stock theft. The suspects, who are expected to appear in court soon, were apprehended in the act, marking a significant blow to the syndicate involved in livestock theft in the area.
14 stolen Merino sheep worth approximately R49,900 were recovered by Free State police. Three suspects were arrested. Photo: SAPS
The Free State has seen a marked improvement in stock theft figures, with a reported 8.9% decrease in the fourth quarter of the 2024/25 financial year, according to the latest crime statistics released in May. While this decline is promising, stock theft remains a persistent issue within South Africa's agricultural sector.
Despite the positive trend, farmers continue to bear significant financial losses due to stolen livestock. The value of stolen stock has proven to be a serious concern, especially for farmers already battling environmental challenges, like droughts.
Minister of Agriculture, John Steenhuisen, applauded the joint efforts between law enforcement and organisations such as AfriForum in combating stock theft. He recognised the considerable impact of the crime on the agricultural community and the broader rural economy.
“Stock theft is a big threat to our agricultural community. Despite facing droughts and other tough conditions, our farmers work tirelessly to contribute to our economy, create on-farm jobs, and sustain our rural areas,” said Steenhuisen.
AfriForum’s involvement in the fight against stock theft has shown encouraging results, particularly with its implementation of a new stock theft training module. This initiative has led to the seizure of 64 stolen cattle worth R960,000 in two successful operations by AfriForum’s Delmas Hawks neighbourhood watch members.
