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Syndicates are behind most incidences of livestock theft in South Africa, and a worrisome trend is increasing violence that accompanies these cases. Armed thieves threaten human lives, animals are mistreated, and the areas in which illegal miners or zama zamas operate are turning into theft hotspots. These aspects are a priority for the National Livestock Theft Prevention Forum. Producers are also encouraged to lay a charge of both animal abuse and stock theft, so that heavier sentences can be handed down.
According to Corine Steyn, manager of the forum, theft has both an economic and emotional impact on the livestock producer. Emerging producers are increasingly being targeted and if a producer loses even five out of ten of his or her cattle, that is half the herd lost and half the potential income gone. Losses due to stock theft amount to billions of rand (Table 1).
Table 1: Estimated losses due to stock theft in South Africa, 2023/24.
| Species stolen | Number of animals stolen 2023/24* | Commercial value per head (2023/2024) | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cattle | 13 427 | R15 000 | R20 150 500 |
| Sheep | 22485 | R3 000 | R67 455 000 |
| Goats | 13 094 | R4 000 | R52 376 000 |
| Total number of animals stolen | 49 006 | ||
| Total monetary loss | R139 981 500 |
Restrict livestock movement
During a recent ministerial liaison meeting in Bloemfontein, the forum called on the South African Police Service (SAPS) to improve roadblocks to restrict the illegal movement of livestock, which might be stolen, and counter the risk of livestock diseases spreading.
Investigating stock theft is often a difficult task and contamination of the crime scene is not uncommon. This is where producers and their workers can make a difference in securing the scene to preserve possible evidence.
One of the aids the forum has deployed is the National Stock Theft Reporting System. Livestock producers can report any stock theft or stock theft-related crime to a central number (the location of the incident can also be plotted). All of the information the livestock producer uploads onto the system is confidential and subject to the Protection of Personal Information Act, 2013 (Act 4 of 2013) or Popia.
The system makes it possible to analyse data and trends; this information can be sent to the SAPS, which can assist them in supplying the necessary resources. However, the system is not a replacement for the official reporting of stock theft cases to the SAPS. Livestock producers are encouraged to continue reporting cases of stock theft to obtain a case number – this number can also be uploaded to the reporting system.
Reporting is a major concern
Douw Pelser, chairperson of the Stock Theft Prevention Forum in Limpopo, says he is excited about the new initiative that was recently launched with the aim of, among other things, increasing the transparency with which stock theft cases are handled and the reporting rate of such cases. According to current estimates, only around 50% (with some estimates even as low as 30%) of stock theft incidents are reported to the police.
The system is privately operated, and Pelser says for the first time it will be possible to report those cases of stock theft not reported to the SAPS on this system; this makes it possible to also track the full impact of stock theft. When livestock is stolen, the producer must send a WhatsApp to 071 515 2011 (number cannot be dialled) with the following information: his/her name, contact details, province, district, nearest police station, and details of the incident. Further information that can be provided includes GPS location, how the incident occurred, as well as the MAS number and photos.
The information can assist in convincing the authorities that more well-trained investigators are needed to man livestock theft units, and to provide additional vehicles. (Producers can rest assured that their details are confidential and protected by legislation.)
However, it is not just the police’s job to fight this crime, says Pelser. Producers and the community must strengthen their collaborative efforts and report any suspicious event. In his area, producers regularly go out on patrols, closing all farm gates and generally making it as difficult as possible for thieves to steal livestock.
Tougher penalties needed
Sarel Pretorius, chairperson in North West, agrees and says stronger action and greater co-operation from the community are needed. Nevertheless, all of these efforts will come to naught if the SAPS is unable to fulfil its constitutional duty for whatever reason. Producers who report cases must keep detailed records of every step in order to lay a criminal charge if it can be proven that the course of justice has been obstructed. It is time for officials to be prosecuted if it can be proven that investigations were deliberately derailed.
His impression is that, although there is no significant rise in the number of stock theft cases being reported, the number of animals being stolen during a single event is indeed on the rise. This, he believes, points to the growing involvement of syndicates.
Heavier penalties for those found guilty are essential to combat this scourge, but if the threat these crimes pose to commercial and emerging producers is not understood, they won’t have much of a future, says Pretorius.
Tightened measures
Freddie van Tonder, chairperson of the KwaZulu-Natal Stock Theft Prevention Forum, says his impression is that stock theft incidences on commercial farms have remained the same, but that the province’s emerging producers are worse off than before. The forum, in collaboration with Kwanalu, regularly hosts information days in an effort to boost these producers’ resilience against crime.
According to him, commercial producers’ tightening of preventive measures, such as the use of professional guards, security cameras and the like, has led to emerging producers being easier targets. It is much easier to steal livestock in rural areas as they often have no fences to guard against such action.
Stock theft syndicates and potslagters are the main culprits. The latter usually slaughter animals in a remote corner of the farm and then drive the carcasses away to sell to rural communities, unregistered abattoirs, or for own use.
A number of syndicates have upped their tactics and are now stealing more livestock at a time, driving the animals to a remote location where they are loaded onto trucks at night to be sold at auctions. Some syndicates steal livestock on order. KwaZulu-Natal serves as a transit route for stolen livestock that are transported from the Eastern Cape (the old Transkei) to Lesotho.
Co-operation bears fruit
Wessel Fourie, chairperson in the Western Cape, says according to SAPS statistics, stock theft in the province has decreased. However, producers are sceptical as not all livestock theft cases are reported. Stock theft in areas around cities and towns have taken on such proportions that some producers have done away with their livestock entirely.
Be that as it may, producers still work closely with the police and precautionary measures such as patrols, guards and ditches along border fences are bearing fruit. In 2023 the RPO Western Cape, in collaboration with the Western Cape Department of Agriculture, purchased five night vision devices for livestock theft units, which have proven very valuable.
Co-ordinated action by livestock producers in collaboration with the police is one of the most effective ways to combat crime in rural areas. Producers must become involved in organised agriculture and their industry organisations to make a difference, says Van Tonder. – Andries Gouws, Stockfarm
For more information, contact Corine Steyn on 083 644 5545 or email corine@rpo.co.za.
