This comes after police recovered seven pigs in the boot of a state-owned sedan following a tip-off about an alleged plot to steal livestock from a farm in Petrusburg on Sunday. Police spokesperson, Thabo Covane, says authorities received a call early Monday morning to head in the direction of the N8 as the suspects had just stolen the livestock and were making their way back to Bloemfontein in a Ford Ikon. He says a police chase ensued as the Ikon sped off, heading down the off-ramp joining the N1 North from the N8, proceeding to drive in the direction of oncoming traffic. The driver is believed to have shortly thereafter lost control and ended up in the bushes between the lanes on the N1. It is then that a shoot-out between the driver of the vehicle and police began. Covane says the police managed to arrest three men between, and two more suspects were arrested later on the N8. According to Covane, the sixth suspect is still at large. 

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The DA in the Free State is adamant that the ever-increasing Free State-Lesotho cross-border livestock theft is a result of illegal immigrants in the country. Speaking to OFM News, DA’s Shadow Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, Annette Steyn, says failure to control the borders creates a big problem regarding livestock theft. She says the theft will continue if there is no proper cross-border legislation. Steyn adds borders must be protected at all times, particularly where livestock theft is rife. She says stock theft is the biggest property-related crime in the province. Steyn urges livestock owners to be vigilant, take control of their stock, and assist police - not only at the borders but in the whole country.

OFM News/Michael Tlhakudi