NELSPRUIT – Four foreign nationals and one South African male, aged between 18 and 30, were arrested in Leslie today, 15 October 2025 for their alleged involvement in stock theft.
According to a report, 12 cows were allegedly stolen then slaughtered in two separate places around Leslie. The Police were alerted and acted swiftly, following up on the information received.
Upon arriving at one of the places, members conducted a search then discovered seven (07) carcasses of slaughtered cows, to an estimated value of about R250 000.
Further information, provided through intelligence, led the astute members to a suspicious vehicle, a brown VW Amarok with Gauteng registration number plates. The vehicle, with one occupant, was spotted during stop and search operations. Upon inspection of the car, meat was found inside.
Additional information led officers to another place, where five (05) more carcasses of slaughtered cattle, to an estimated value of about R175.000, inside the kraal. Four (04) suspects were them arrested at the scene, though two others fled, leaving behind the vehicle they were using.
The suspects are expected to appear at the Leslie Magistrate’s Court on Friday, 17 Octŵober 2025.
The Acting Provincial Commissioner of the SAPS in Mpumalanga, Major General (Dr) Zeph Mkhwanazi, has welcomed the swift arrests and emphasised the importance of brand-marking of livestock to owners thereof as it assists in the recovery as well as for investigation purposes.