Residents in Kwa-Zulu Natal have taken the law into their hands as they beat up stock thieves and forcing them to confess

Residents in Kwa-Zulu Natal have taken the law into their hands as they beat up stock thieves and forcing them to confess. Image via Facebook/ South African Police Service

Kwa-Zulu Natal residents beat up livestock thieves- report

Residents in Kwa-Zulu Natal have taken the law into their hands as they beat up stock thieves, forcing them to confess

Residents in Kwa-Zulu Natal have taken the law into their hands as they beat up stock thieves and forcing them to confess

Residents in Kwa-Zulu Natal have taken the law into their hands as they beat up stock thieves and forcing them to confess. Image via Facebook/ South African Police Service

Residents in Pietermaritzburg, Kwa-Zulu Natal (KZN) have reportedly beaten up stock thieves and forced them to confess what livestock they have stolen.

According to The Witness, Taylors Halt and Impendle areas have been identified as the top two places in the uMgungundlovu District where stock theft is taking place.

THIEVES SLAUGHTER THE LIVESTOCK IN IN BUSHES OR ABANDONED HOUSES

ALSO READ: Rural Safety unit pounces on stock thieves

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.

ALSO READ: LIVESTOCK THEFT: Police operation recovers 48 head of cattle

“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.

VIDEOS OF RESIDENTS TAKING THE LAW TO THEIR HANDS CONDEMNED

Videos of residents beating up the thieves are reported to have made rounds on social media.

Gwala condemned the action.

ALSO READ: Police arrest three suspects recover R220 000 worth of cattle

“When you are beating someone and forcing them to confess, that evidence will not stand up in court because you obtained that evidence unlawfully. This will jeopardise the case,” the report quoted Gwala as saying.

Livestock owners are encouraged to brand their livestock and become members of stock theft committees.

IN A SEPARATE INCIDENT

Last year, cattle thieves across KwaZulu-Natal were wrangled through the painstaking operations of the Kokstad Stock Theft Unit. Multiple suspects made court appearances.

ALSO READ: Cattle thieves in court after being wrangled by KZN SAPS

The suspects included youngsters and a teacher.

“A total of 13 cattle were recovered. It was established by police that the livestock were stolen in Intsikeni last month and were being herded to Lesotho. The stolen cattle were handed back to the lawful owner,” said Gwala.

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