This, as some of those who have been arrested for stock theft, were previously remanded for crimes such as rape and murder. Motswenyane was speaking during a ministerial rural safety Imbizo in Bethlehem. This imbizo comes after farmers met with Police Minister, Bheki Cele, on 13 October to voice their concerns with stock theft and farm murders. 

Here is Motswenyane…

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Motswenyane says she called a meeting on 19 October 2020 to address issues highlighted in a memorandum that was handed over to Free State MEC for Police, Roads and Transport, Sam Mashinini, by the president of Free State Agriculture, Francios Wilken. She explains that this document highlighted corrupt police officials implicated in stock theft syndicates in the province.

Resolutions reached during this meeting indicated that a task team, which will consist of the Hawks, Crime Intelligence, State Security Agency (SSA), detectives and the Independent Police Investigative Directorate (Ipid), will be analysing, assessing and investigating allegations that are mentioned in the memorandum.

Stock theft cases

Motswenyane said allegations of poor investigations into stock theft cases at the Paul Roux-, Senekal- and Bethlehem Police Stations were investigated by the Deputy Commissioner for Crime Detection and Crime Intelligence. The analysis, which looked into stock theft cases registered from 2012 to date in these three towns, found that one of the suspects – who were arrested for the murder of 21-year-old farm manager, Brendin Horner, was previously implicated in stock theft cases.

She said the suspect, who was released on bail, was remanded in police custody once more following the above-mentioned discovery. “As the Free State, we have agreed that priority number one will be stock theft, number two will be rape, and the third one will be murders. We want to address the issue of stock theft because the suspects who were involved in murder cases [were] previously involved in stock theft cases,” she added.

Farm murder, assault cases

Motswenyane says when they arrest a suspect after a farm attack, police first try and establish whether the suspect is known to the farmer. The commissioner reflected on some of the recent farm attacks in the province:

Hennenman: Two counts of attempted murder was registered after two victims survived a farm attack. They were shot. Two suspects were arrested and it was found that the suspects had no relationship with the farmer and that they resided on the neighbouring farm. Bail was successfully opposed and the suspects remain in custody.

Viljoenskroon: Cases of murder and house robbery were registered following the stabbing of a farmer. Two suspects were arrested and it was later established that there was no relationship between the farmer and the suspects. Two stolen cell phones and a Toyota Hilux bakkie were recovered. After profiling the suspects, it was found that one of the suspects was previously arrested for three stock theft cases, one housebreaking case and one for theft of a motor vehicle. The second suspect was previously arrested for a farm attack – he was sentenced to life imprisonment but was released on parole in September 2019.

Hennenman: A farmer was fatally shot whilst his son was injured and later died in hospital following a farm attack. Three suspects were arrested. One suspect committed suicide shortly after his arrest. Motswenyane did not mention whether there were a relationship between the suspects and the farmer. Police are still on a manhunt for a suspect who is believed to be from Gauteng. This particular suspect was previously found guilty for possession of an unlicensed firearm and robbery with aggravating circumstances. He was previously sentenced to 20 years imprisonment in 2007 and was released on parole in February 2020. Two suspects are expected to appear in the Hennenman Magistrate’s Court on Monday 16 November.

Odendaalsrus: OFM News recently reported that a farmer from the Odendaalsrus area was shot and killed on his farm. Police spokesperson, Thandi Mbambo, has confirmed two suspects arrived at the farm whilst the farmer's wife was sitting outside and she allegedly shot one of the suspects, and her husband was shot by one of the suspects as he came out of the house. Mbambo says both the suspect and the farmer died at the scene and police are on a manhunt for another suspect.

Motswenyane urged all stakeholders to take hands and work together in order to help curb stock theft and farm attacks in the province.

OFM News