Seven suspects in two different cases of stock theft appeared in Lehurutshe and Atamelang Magistrates Courts respectively on Monday, 24 November 2014. The suspects were arrested between Wednesday, 19 and Saturday, 21 November 2014 in Lehurutshe, Atamelang and Wolmaransstad where 47 stolen cattle were recovered.
The accused in the Lehurutshe cases; Kgomotso Kadile (24) Jacob Malope (57) and Piet Sealotswe (45) were released on R500.00 bail each and will appear in court again on Wednesday, 14 January 2015. In Atamelang, four accused; Steven Makokoe (21), Kagisho Mohutsiwa (21), William Motlhabane (33) and John Mothupi (51) were granted R3000.00 bail each for stock theft. This happened after 25 cattle were found in their possession on Wednesday, 19 November 2014 in Barberspan near Delareyville.
The cattle were recovered in Dinokana, Jagersfontein, Barberspan and Wolmaransstad following stock theft operations in various parts of the province as part of Safer Festive Season Operation “Duty Calls”. The initial five cattle in Dinokana were recovered after a community member became suspicious and alerted the police. They responded promptly to the information, and upon arrival they found five cattle loaded in a bakkie. The owner of the car was questioned and he produced relevant documentation about buying of the cattle. Regardless of the explanation and presentation of the documents, the Police continued with investigation that led them to a farm in Jagersfontein where other four cattle were identified as stolen. A joint operation was conducted with Botswana counterparts at the same farm the following day and that resulted in positive identification of ten cattle to bring the total number to 19. Out of all identified and recovered cattle, six were stolen in Botswana.
The operations resulted in issuing of 54 fines for contravention of Animal Identification Act and Meat Safety Act to live stock owners and farmers. Farmers are once more requested to comply with the provisions of Animal Identification Act, 2002 (ACT NO. 6 OF 2002) and Meat Safety Act, 2000 (ACT NO. 40 OF 2000).