The South African Police Service in Mpumalanga welcomes two major breakthroughs in the fight against stock theft, thanks to strong collaboration between communities, security stakeholders and police members in the Gert Sibande District.
These successes come shortly after a Ministerial Crime Prevention Community Imbizo held in Elukwatini within the same district, in which residents raised concerns about stock theft affecting their livelihoods.
In the first incident, during the early hours of 27 September 2025, security patrol teams in Amersfoort spotted a suspicious vehicle traveling in the direction of Morgenzon.
The vehicle failed to stop when approached and was pursued until it was abandoned at a nearby farm due to a puncture.
Police were called to the scene, upon searching the vehicle, they discovered 11 sheep, which were later positively identified by the rightful owner. A case of stock theft was opened, and investigations are continuing under the Ermelo Stock Theft and Endangered Species Unit.
In a separate incident in Mayflower on the same morning, members of the community acted swiftly after receiving information about three individuals herding cattle near the Eswatini borderline.
The suspects fled when approached, but 22 cattle were recovered.
Police positively linked the livestock to its owner from Eswatini through brandmarks. In cooperation with counterparts from Eswatini, the cattle were safely handed back to their lawful owner.
Acting Provincial Commissioner, Major General (Dr) Zeph Mkhwanazi, commended both the community members and police officials involved:
“These recoveries are a direct result of the trust, communication, and partnership between our communities, private security partners, and the police. When we work together, we send a strong message that stock theft and cross-border crime will not be tolerated. We will continue strengthening these bonds to protect the livelihoods of our people.”
Police investigations into both cases are continuing.
The SAPS, once again, appeals to members of the public to continue reporting suspicious activities, as community involvement remains a vital weapon in the fight against crime.
Stock theft successes in the Gert Sibande Districthttps://t.co/2rJm7wsUIj#ArriveAlive #StockTheft @SAPoliceService pic.twitter.com/dP6mGGtOM8
– Arrive Alive (@_ArriveAlive) September 28, 2025