Man, 51, arrested in Limpopo with 14 suspected stolen cattle

Police in Limpopo’s Capricorn District have arrested a 51-year-old man after finding 14 head of cattle at his homestead that they suspect were stolen, IOL reported.

The arrest took place on 11 November at a homestead in Mentz, in the Mshongo Section. According to the South African Police Service (SAPS), officers had been tipped off that suspected stolen livestock was being kept there. The Polokwane Stock Theft Unit, the Makweng Task Team and the Polokwane Local Criminal Record Centre went to the property to investigate.

What police say happened

On arrival, officers found the man with the 14 cattle. Police say he could not show proof that he lawfully owned the animals. He told them two men had brought the cattle to his property, but police say they have so far been unable to trace those men.

The man was arrested on the spot for possession of suspected stolen cattle. He is due to be brought before the magistrate’s court in Mankweng. SAPS spokesperson Brigadier Hlulani Mashaba said the investigation is continuing.

Mashaba also told IOL that the animals have not been given back to an owner yet. They carry no brand, which police say may make it hard to work out who they belong to. The allegations against the man have not been tested in court.

What this means for livestock owners

Police say stock theft is difficult to stop completely when criminals are determined, but there are steps that can help owners identify and recover animals that go missing. SAPS advises owners to:

• Keep a livestock register that records all the animals they own.
• Mark their animals in line with the Animal Identification Act, using ear tags, tattoos or microchips.
• Make sure a herder is with the cattle at all times.
• Report any stock theft to the nearest police station immediately and work with the local police and the Stock Theft Units.

Police say cases can collapse when nobody can prove who owns the animals or produce the paperwork for them. For a small-scale farmer or a family that depends on a few head of cattle, a register and clear markings could make the difference between getting animals back and losing them for good.

Community members are also asked to tell the police straight away if they come across stray livestock, so that the owners can be found.

The case in Mentz shows how hard it can be to trace stolen animals once they have no brand. Police have not said when the man is due in court.

This story is based on reporting by IOL.