In a bid to curb the on-going livestock theft allegedly taking place in Bushbuckridge, a group of local farmers marched to the Mhala Magistrate Court in Bushbuckridge Municipality on Thursday, 6 June 2013.
The march was led by the Bushbuckridge Stock Theft Association, which is appealing to the police to investigate 22 owners of butcheries in the area whom they believe could be involved in the ongoing theft of their cattle.
Mr Bhekuzulu Nxumalo, the leader of the association handed over the petition of grievances to Mpumalanga Community Safety, Security and Liaison, Mr Bongani Kubhayi, the department’s Ehlanzeni Regional Director for the attention of the MEC. The association had previously allegedly presented their concerns to the Mhala Magistrate Court and local traditional authority. It submitted that livestock theft is rife in the area.
Among others, the farmers are also concerned with the granting of bail to live stock theft suspects, allegations of dockets getting lost, closure of dockets due to lack of evidence, delay in finalization of cases and the issue of having only one magistrate to handle livestock theft cases in the area.
The association informed the senior officials led by Kubhayi that more than five cattle per week are stolen in the area. Nxumalo also extended his gratitude to the MEC for honouring them by sending senior official on his behalf to receive the petition.
Meanwhile, MEC Shongwe has vowed to look into the concerns and also encourage the police, through the office of the provincial commissioner to thorough investigate livestock theft cases as it has devastating impact on the lives of the farmers and their families.
“We need to intensify our efforts as members of JCPS cluster to ensure that the ongoing livestock theft comes to an end,” the MEC said.
The MEC said that all Justice, Crime Prevention and Security (JCPS) departments should continue to fight against the on-going livestock theft happening in rural communities. He has also said that the department will continue with the awareness campaigns to discourage people from buying meat from informal traders, as the meat is not inspected.
He has also called on neighbouring countries to assist in combating the on-going livestock theft because this criminal activity takes often takes place near the ports of entry. Furthermore he called on all farmers to brand their livestock with visible marks in order to allow easy identification.
Community members are requested to assist government by coming forward with information that may lead to the arrests and successful conviction of livestock theft.
Enquiries:
Joseph Mabuza
Cell: 082 678 1450
Tel: 013 766 4055
