Five people have been arrested in the Northern Cape after they were found in possession of stolen sheep and a vehicle. Image via Facebook/ South African Police Service
Five people have been arrested in the Northern Cape after they were found in possession of stolen sheep and a vehicle on Monday, 20 March.
Five people have been arrested in the Northern Cape after they were found in possession of stolen sheep and a vehicle. Image via Facebook/ South African Police Service
Northern Cape police have arrested four men and a woman aged between 29 and 36 respectively after they were found with stolen livestock and a car.
The arrest occurred on Monday, 20 March.
In a statement, police spokesperson sergeant Omphile Masegela said police received information about a white Renault Cleo transporting sheep on Askham road.
The vehicle was spotted about 10 km outside Upington and a high-speed chase ensued.
“The vehicle was later stopped and four sheep were found in the boot of the vehicle.
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“The occupants of the vehicle failed to provide proof of ownership. The vehicle was also circulated and found to be reported as stolen on a Cape Town Central case,” said Masegela.
She added that the suspects are facing charges of stock theft and possession of the stolen property.
They are all expected to appear in the magistrate court in Upington soon.
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In a separate incident, The South African reported the residents in Pietermaritzburg, Kwa-Zulu Natal (KZN) have reportedly beaten up stock thieves and forced them to confess what livestock they have stolen earlier this month.
According to The Witness, Taylor’s Halt and Impendle areas have been identified as the top two places in the uMgungundlovu District where stock theft is taking place.
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It is reported that the thieves slaughter the cows in the bush and give the meat to their buyers. Sometimes they used abandoned houses to slaughter them.
Criminals use different vehicles for transportation.
“They use vehicles with the wrong number plates or with no number plates at all.
“It has also been established that when they commit these crimes, they already have a buyer; it is very unlikely that they sell to the butcheries,” the report quoted Pietermaritzburg police spokesperson, Sergeant Sifiso Gwala as saying.
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