46-year-old arrested for attempted livestock theft of 22 sheep

The police have arrested a suspect after the alleged theft of 22 sheep in Cornelia. Four other sheep were stolen at another farm and suspects are at large.

According to Fezile Dabi police spokesperson, Captain Malebo Khosana, a 34-year-old livestock farmer complained that that his employee notified him of a suspected stock theft.

The complainant stated that his employee informed him that the sheep were driven by an unknown person to the neighbouring farm. He further alleged that he then went to the neighbouring farm where he found his sheep.

“The farmer also reported that his fence at Maidstone Farm was cut and used to get the sheep out,” added Khosana.

Following the complaint, the Vrede Stock Theft Unit attended the scene. Upon arrival, the team found a farmer with an employee and an unknown male person.

The authorities counted the livestock and discovered that the suspect nearly stole 22 sheep valued at R44 000.

“The police then arrested a 46-year-old male suspect found to be a Vrede resident and he will soon appear before Frankfort Magistrate’s Court,” informed Khosana.

In another incident, a farmer in Deneysville alleged that he found four of his sheep missing on Tuesday, 12 April. The complainant informed that he closed his sheep inside a kraal at his Veekraal plot on Monday evening, 11 April.

Captain Khosana said the kraal’s fence was cut, which raised suspicion that the livestock was stolen.

The Heilbron Stock Theft Unit discovered tracks indicating that suspects might have loaded the sheep into a motor vehicle away from the scene.

For this incident, suspects remain at large and the stolen sheep not yet recovered.

“The Fezile Dabi District Management would like to appeal to the community to report any person selling raw stock meat on the streets on cheap prices. Buying this stolen meat opens market for thieves to further commit stock theft,” concluded Khosana.