The rising rate of livestock theft has severe effects on subsistence and commercial farmers, as well as the red meat industry. Crime syndicates may be involved in recent incidents in the Free State, Northern Cape, Eastern Cape, KwaZulu-Natal, and the Eastern Cape placing the safety of farms in jeopardy.
We are joined in this discussion by Dr Jane Buys, a safety risk analyst for Free State Agriculture; Jason Kümm, manager of rural safety and communications for Agri Eastern Cape in Port Elizabeth; and Joe Scholtz, head of rural safety for Agri Northern Cape.
The impact of stock theft
There are a lot of sheep and cattle being stolen in the Free State. Buys says the province has experienced an increase in livestock theft during the past eight years.
“I think personally that the amount of livestock theft in terms of single incidents has increased. So, that’s why I refer it to organised crime and syndicate groups operating in that specific environment.”
Implementing technology on farms, using items to protect such alarms, or whatever is co-effective to them, is essential if farmers are to properly safeguard their livestock and properties, Buys recommends. “We encourage farming communities to report livestock cases to the police.”
Report crimes no matter what
Kumm believes most people have stopped reporting cattle thefts to the police because they no longer trust the department, but he urges people to report crimes anyhow.
“We use a programme called Earthranger to track all these incidents. Every member or any community member can send that information to us. We then have data to present during our meetings with the stock theft forum members.”
The episode features discussions from industry leaders on how to:
- Improve our food security;
- Present viable alternatives for the safety of our nation; and
- Inquire if farmers are comfortable with the people they are hiring.
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