Farmers’ nightmare ends — man arrested with 7 stolen cattle

Cape Town – A 38-year-old man has been arrested for allegedly stealing seven cattle in Qumbu, Eastern Cape in a case that highlights the proactive efforts of the District Stocktheft Task Team in OR Tambo District.

According to police spokesperson Captain Welile Matyolo, the arrest took place on Friday, 22 August 2025, around 13:00, after members of the task team acted on information regarding suspected stolen cattle.

Officers tracked the suspect as he herded the animals from grazing fields in Blackhill locality to Bhelekence locality, where he was stopped and questioned.

#sapsEC The recent arrest by the District #StockTheft Task Team highlights the commendable work ethic by the team in eradicating stock theft in the OR Tambo District, ever since its inception at the beginning of this month (August). The arrest of a man (38) for allegedly… pic.twitter.com/W8JweT5hzq

— SA Police Service 🇿🇦 (@SAPoliceService) August 23, 2025

Preliminary investigations revealed that five of the cattle were stolen from Mafusini locality, while the ownership of the remaining two is still being verified. All seven animals were impounded at the municipality livestock pound in Qumbu.

The suspect has been charged with possession of suspected stolen property and is expected to appear in the Qumbu Magistrate’s Court on Monday, 25 August 2025.

OR Tambo District Commissioner Major General Norman Modishana commended the task team for their “sterling work,” noting that the unit, established at the beginning of August, has already recovered livestock worth millions of rands. “With the support of local residents and the farming community, police will win the fight against stock theft in the district,” Major General Modishana added.

The District Stocktheft Task Team was set up to address increasing incidents of livestock theft in the area and has been credited with multiple arrests since its inception.