The formation of the Stock Theft Prevention Task Team is bearing fruit with a 40-year-old suspect due to appear before the Mthatha Magistrate Court on suspected stolen stock charges, the South African Police Service (SAPS) said.
The arrest comes in the second month of the formation of the Stock Theft Prevention Task Team in the OR Tambo District to prevent stock theft in hotspot areas within the district.
The team recovered stolen sheep in Mthatha and Bityi on Wednesday and the early hours of Thursday.
The suspect was arrested on Wednesday with one live sheep and a carcass which were allegedly stolen at the Mthatha SPCA, with the employees positively identifying them.
In another unrelated incident in Xhwili - Bhityi, 53 sheep were recovered by the task team and were returned to the lawful owner. The police said the sheep were stolen on Wednesday night and then abandoned.
The police urged stock farmers to visit their kraals and immediately report stolen stock for quick police assistance.
“The arrested 40-year-old man is due to appear before Mthatha Magistrate Court on Thursday, 04 September 2025 for possession of suspected stolen stock,” the police said.
The OR Tambo District Commissioner, Major General Norman Modishana, commended the swift actions by the team in fighting stock theft in the district as it remains one of the stubborn crimes to be harshly dealt with. – SAnews.gov.za
