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Farmers in Kutama area worried about the increase in stock theft
By Kaizer Nengovhela
Concern over the increase in incidents of stock theft in the Kutama area has local farmers up in arms as they desperately, yet unsuccessfully, try to protect their livestock against thieves.
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Frustrated farmers say they have sought the assistance of the police over and over, but they seldom get positive feedback from investigations. The farmers say this problem is threatening the long-term sustainability of livestock production and is costing them thousands of rands.
One of the farmers, Mr Africa Monyeleote of Makhitha village, said that it had become a daily battle for stock farmers. “We are up against thieves who kill our farming careers with each passing day. In January, 20 of my goats went missing. We found them three weeks later in the bush at Muraleni. On 2 March, 12 of my goats disappeared again. We searched for the missing goats around the Kutama and Sinthumule area, but still have not found them. Even today, nobody has said anything about finding stray goats. The only conclusion to be made is that my herd of goats had been stolen. I ask the community to please help me find my goats. Someone must have seen something,” said a worried Monyeleote.
Mr Maligana Manyekane said that his lofty ambitions to become a top stock farmer had been dealt a severe blow by someone who had mutilated his three goats in his yard in February this year. “Such cruelty is something one cannot fathom, and it is patently clear that the person wanted to hurt me. Instead of stealing the goats, he brutally murdered them,” he said.
Manyekane attributed this cruel act to jealousy. “When someone succeeds, there are obviously others who want to knock him down.” said that his lofty ambitions to become a top stock farmer had been dealt a severe blow by someone who had mutilated his three goats in his yard. Photo supplied
Police spokesperson Brig Motlafela Mojapelo confirmed that complaints of stock theft in the Kutama area had increased. He said they were investigating a case of stock theft. No arrests have been made yet.
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