- Effective Stock Theft Prevention in OR Tambo District: The newly established Stock Theft Prevention Task Team in OR Tambo District has made swift progress, recovering stolen livestock within two months of its formation.
- Successful Arrests and Recoveries: The team arrested a suspect in Mthatha with stolen sheep and carcasses, and recovered 53 sheep abandoned by thieves in Bityi, demonstrating proactive law enforcement.
- Details of the Incidents: On September 3 and 4, 2025, the task team responded promptly to theft cases, arresting a suspect and recovering livestock stolen during the night.
The Stock Theft Prevention Task Team in the OR Tambo District is already making its presence felt, just two months after it was set up. Between Wednesday, 3 September, and Thursday, 4 September 2025, the team recovered stolen sheep in Mthatha and Bityi, showing that stock thieves will not have it easy.
In the first incident on the 3rd of September 2025 at around 03:00, the task team arrested a 40-year-old man in Callaway Street, Mthatha. He was found with one live sheep and a carcass believed to have been stolen from the Mthatha SPCA. Employees from the organisation were able to positively identify the animals.
In a separate case in Xhwili, Bityi, the task team recovered 53 sheep at around 03:00 on the 4th of September. The animals had been stolen night of 3 September at about 22:00 but were abandoned by suspects who fled the scene. Police returned the livestock to its rightful owner.
The 40-year-old suspect is set to appear before the Mthatha Magistrate’s Court on charges of possession of suspected stolen stock.
OR Tambo District Commissioner, Major General Norman Modishana, praised the quick action of the task team, saying stock theft remains one of the district’s most stubborn crimes that must be confronted with determination. He further encouraged farmers to regularly check their kraals and report incidents quickly for faster police response.
