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Major Stock Theft Crackdown Brings Relief To Eastern Cape Farmers
Major stock theft crackdown brings relief to Eastern Cape farmers
By Sinenhlanhla Mncwango |7 July 2024 | 5:00 am
In a significant crackdown on stock theft, the commercial farmers of the Ugie, Maclear (Nqanqarhu) and Elliot (Khowa) areas in the Eastern Cape witnessed a breakthrough.
[Illustration purposes] A recent stock theft operation recovered 512 animals, including 124 head of cattle, 167 sheep, and 221 goats.Photo: FW Archive
This operation was spearheaded by Agri Eastern Cape in collaboration with the South African Police Service (SAPS), bringing much-needed relief to the region plagued by rampant stock theft.
In recent months, according to Agri Eastern Cape CEO Coert Jordaan, commercial farmers in those areas have been under threat, with stock thieves running rampant.
READ Livestock theft in South Africa: Do the structures fail the producer?
Farmers and members of Agri Eastern Cape reached out to Agri Eastern Cape to assist and intervene at provincial level as the stock theft situation had reached dire levels.
“Thankfully, these same members have been reporting stock theft incidences to the Agri Ops Coordination Centre regularly, which gave us the ammunition needed to approach the SAPS with the concern,” said Jordaan.
Jordaan arranged with the SAPS to conduct a special stock theft operation in the affected areas during June, which was a great success.
He explained that the operation ran for two weeks and resulted in the recovery of about 512 animals, comprising 124 head of cattle, 167 sheep and 221 goats. The total estimated value of the recovered stock exceeded R2,7 million.
“The operation was coordinated with local Stock Theft Units, SAPS stations, and additional SAPS resources brought into the area to assist. Agri Eastern Cape would like to thank the SAPS for the effort, results, and good police work conducted during this special operation,” said Jordaan.
READ Maize theft in Free State raises serious concern
Louis Wessels, head of the Stock Theft Prevention Forum at Agri SA, told Farmer’s Weekly that any loss as a result of stock theft, however small, had a negative economic impact on producers.
“It’s not only stolen livestock that contributes to losses, but also the reproduction value of stolen livestock. Producers will evaluate native commodities should stock theft render livestock production non-profitable. It could also negatively impact food security,” he said.
“Farmers must take note that identification marks (branding, tattoos, or earmarks) on livestock are an important aspect to assist in the prevention of stock theft, together with the regular counting of livestock. Lastly, the reporting of stock theft cases is of utmost importance to ensure that the SAPS receives the necessary manpower and equipment to combat stock theft,” said Wessels.
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