Eight suspects busted in separate incidents for stock theft

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Eight suspects were arrested by the police in two separate incidents for being in possession of suspected stolen property in the vicinity of Potchefstroom.

In the first incident, North West police spokesperson Colonel Adéle Myburgh said in the early hours of Friday, information was received about a suspicious vehicle on the N14 road between Ventersdorp and Carletonville.

“Klerkskraal police, assisted by Potchefstroom Flying Squad managed to stop two taxi vehicles and arrested six people.

“The suspects, aged between 23 and 45 could not account for 30 sheep and 18 goats found inside the two taxis,” she stated.

Col Myburgh added that the suspects will appear before the Ventersdorp magistrates’ court on Monday.

Meanwhile, in another separate incident reported later on the same night, two people were nabbed for possession of suspected stolen goats.

According to Col Myburgh, Boons police members on patrol on the R509 road between Derby and Magaliesburg, noticed a suspicious Toyota Quantum taxi.

She continued; “The vehicle was stopped and two passengers jumped out of the vehicle and ran off, but police arrested two others.

“When searching inside the taxi, police found 37 goats and the suspects could not account thereof. The duo, aged 30 and 38, will appear before the Koster magistrates’ court on Monday.”

Col Myburgh highlighted that in both these cases, the animals were not marked.

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She urged farmers to mark their animals according to the Animal Identification Act, 2002 (Act No 6 of 2002).

“Many court cases are lost because of disputes regarding the proper identification of animals. If an animal is marked with a registered brand or tattoo, disputes will be avoided,” she concluded.