This Content Is Only For Subscribers
In response to information about a stock theft in Cicirha, Ugie, members of the Elliot Stock Theft Unit (STU) working in tandem with the Endangered Species Unit (ESU) recovered 106 stolen sheep in Tsolo on Saturday.
According to the police, after learning about the stock theft, the members followed a lead that took them to Majaba locality in Tsolo, where they discovered 106 stolen livestock (82 sheep and 22 lamps).
“The members then followed up on all possible leads and the preliminary investigation took the members to Majaba locality in Tsolo. They then spotted three suspects driving the sheep in an open field,” said police.
“As soon as the suspects saw the SAPS members, they opened fire, and the members returned fire, the suspects then fled on foot. The 106 livestock (84 sheep and 22 lambs) to the value of R 116 000-00 were recovered by the members.”
The sheep were found with clear ear marks and will be returned to their lawful owners once identified.
Before June of this year, the Eastern Cape government reported that more than 18,000 animals, worth more than R58 million, had been stolen in the province.
In an effort to tackle prolonged stock theft in the province, the Eastern Cape government, led by Premier Oscar Mabuyane, introduced a technology-based system known as the Livestock Identification and Traceability System (LITS) in May of this year.
The LITS is a technology-based ear tag device that identifies the location and ownership of the stock as well as tracks its movements.
At the LITS launch in Tsolo two months ago, Mabuyane stated that the project aims to help the province combat persistent livestock theft.
“We are trying to introduce a more organised and commercial way of handling these animals. This is part of us trying to fight and curb livestock theft. We are sending a message to all the thieves out there that we will go after you in a better and more organised manner. You cannot sleep today and wake up with a kraal full of cows that you can’t account for,” he said.
However, a recent crackdown on stock theft in the province resulted in the recovery of 512 animals, indicating ongoing efforts to address this problem in the province.
