Trio arrested after Mothibistad police bust stock theft operation

A POLICE investigation into stolen livestock led to a breakthrough when officers uncovered a stock theft operation in Magojaneng, resulting in the arrest of three men.

Acting on a tip-off, officers from the Mothibistad SAPS set their sights on a house in Magojaneng where livestock was allegedly being kept. The operation, led by Vispol commander Captain Nomvuyo Makoloi and the detective commander, Captain Sethunya Letshwiti, zeroed in on a suspect and a vehicle believed to be used for transporting stolen livestock.

Northern Cape police spokesperson Captain Nomvuyo Makoloi said that upon arrival at the identified premises, the team discovered that three men, driving an Isuzu bakkie, had already left the property and were heading towards Seodin, transporting a sheep.

Hot on their heels, Warrant Officer Obakeng Mecwi and his team from the Kuruman Stock Theft and Endangered Species Unit sprang into action, tracking the vehicle to Bankhara Bodulong. Inside the bakkie, police found clear evidence that sheep had been transported in it.

The three male suspects, aged 60, 37, and 38, were questioned before being escorted to the address of one of them. On arrival at the house in Magojaneng, the police uncovered a startling scene - seven sheep bound with wire inside the home. When pressed for proof of ownership, the men had no answers.

With the evidence stacked against them, all three were arrested on charges of possessing suspected stolen livestock. They are set to appear in the Mothibistad Magistrate’s Court soon.

The police have urged farmers and community members to remain vigilant and report suspicious activities to help curb stock theft in the region.