Festive stock heists spark alarm across rural SA

A trail of stock theft cases occurred during the festive season, prompting the police to strengthen their rural safety campaign at that time. While a number of suspects have been apprehended, the safety of farmers and their livestock remains a concern.

According to the police, the tenacity of the Kuruman Stock Theft and Endangered Species Unit (STESU) led to the arrest of a 43-year-old man around mid-December. The operation also resulted in the recovery of suspected stolen cattle valued at approximately R150 000.

“On Friday, 19 December 2025, the complainant reported the theft of 24 cattle that allegedly occurred between 12 and 16 December 2025 in the Deerwaard village in Bothithong.

“Reportedly, the cattle were stolen when her spouse passed away in hospital in Kimberley,” the statement said.

In a separate case on Tuesday, 6 January 2026, investigations led the team from the Kuruman STESU to a nearby cattle post. A total of 9 cattle and 3 calves, suspected to be stolen, were identified by the complainant.

The 43-year-old male suspect was unable to provide a satisfactory explanation for the possession of the cattle and was subsequently arrested.

In the Free State the Clocolan police, in collaboration with local farmers, arrested three suspects following an alleged house robbery and rape incident that occurred on a farm on Wednesday night. A firearm reported stolen during the incident was subsequently recovered.

“It is alleged that on Wednesday, 10 December 2025, at about 22:15, farmworkers were asleep when they were awakened by a loud bang on the door and barking dogs outside.

“One of the workers noticed that the door had been forced open, and three suspects entered, demanding valuables, which they were unable to obtain. One of the female farmworkers was hiding inside a wardrobe, where two of the suspects allegedly raped her. The suspects then fled the scene on foot,” according to the statement issued.

Spike in stock theft across Mzansi

In Limpopo, the police in Makhado, Vhembe district, launched a manhunt for four unknown male suspects following a business robbery that occurred at a farm along the Fort Edward–Makhado Road in mid-December.

“According to reports, the 28-year-old complainant was inside the farmhouse when he heard someone attempting to open a window. When he went to check, one of the suspects pointed a firearm at him and instructed him to open the door.

“Apparently, two of the suspects then went outside and loaded 15 brown and black sheep with earmarks marked ‘IVP’ (no tattoo marks), valued at approximately R67 500, into a vehicle. The suspects also robbed the complainant of his cellphone before fleeing the scene,” the statement said.

In the Eastern Cape, two suspects aged 23 and 29 also appeared before Ezibeleni Magistrate’s Court on charges of possession of suspected stolen stock in mid-December, according to the police.

A swift response by members of the Garies police on Friday, 19 December 2025, led to the arrest of six suspects, aged between 18 and 47, on charges of stock theft.

In the rural farming community of Garies in the Northern Cape, police conducting routine vehicle patrols acted on information regarding a vehicle allegedly transporting stolen livestock. The vehicle, which matched the description provided, was spotted and stopped.

“Upon searching the vehicle, members discovered five sheep loaded at the back, with an estimated street value of R10 000. None of the occupants could provide a satisfactory explanation regarding the ownership or origin of the livestock.

“All six suspects were subsequently arrested. The vehicle used in the commission of the crime was also confiscated,” the statement said.

Suspects get away

The police in Bolobedu, outside Tzaneen in Mopani district, have launched a manhunt for stock theft suspects who allegedly stole five head of cattle and a calf at Nakampe Village.

According to police reports, in mid-December, the 76-year-old livestock owner was alerted by a cattle herder that the cattle had been stolen from the kraal and a fence had been cut.

“They checked around the bushes in an attempt to find the livestock, but were unsuccessful. The total value of the lost livestock is estimated to be around R80 000,” the statement said.

In KwaZulu-Natal, police in Bulwer arrested two suspects, aged 23 and 31, for possession of property suspected to be stolen, following the recovery of 21 livestock during operations conducted at Hlabeni and Sdangeni in mid-December.

Towards the end of December, the police investigated a case of stock theft at Chloe’s Department of Agriculture, situated in Ga-Matlala Village, Matlala policing area under Capricorn District.

“According to the complainant, a 62-year-old, he released his two cattle from the kraal to graze on the afternoon of 26 December 2025. When he returned at approximately 13:00 to fetch them, he discovered that the cattle were missing.

“The following day, while searching for the missing livestock, the complainant received information that several cattle had been slaughtered in the bushes near the Chloe’s department of agriculture. Upon proceeding to the area, he discovered that his two cattle, valued at approximately R24 000, had been slaughtered, along with three other cattle belonging to another owner,” the statement said.