Lovedale farm shepherd attacked, pepper sprayed by livestock thieves

A livestock farm shepherd at Lovedale farm near Maokeng, was attacked and threatened with a firearm by armed suspects in bid to steal live stock.

Fezile Dabi region spokesperson captain Malebo Khosana, said the two suspects aged 32 and 37-year-old were later arrested.

“Two suspects were arrested for attacking and threatening a shepherd with firearm and spraying him with pepper spray in order to steal livestock on Tuesday,10 May at 00h00 midnight,” said Khosana.

It is further alleged that, a community member called the police after suspecting that one of the shepherds aged 60 has been attacked by the suspects wanting to steal livestock.

“Maokeng Crime Prevention Commander, Captain Daniel Motsoeneng followed up on the information and activated other members,” he said.

“Upon reaching the crime scene they found one suspect seated in his silver Toyota suspected to be the mode of transport for the stolen livestock and he was arrested,” he added further.

The police officers alleged to have also found the shepherd already tied with ropes.

He informed the members that he was attacked by three men.

“The police managed to arrest two suspects and recovered four stolen sheep tied and left in the veld. The third suspect who had a firearm managed to flee the scene,” Khosana further explained.

These two suspects are expected to appear before the Kroonstad Magistrate Court today, 12 May facing a charge of armed robbery and stock-theft.