Agriculture
Police minister engages farmers on stock theft in Free State─── ZENANDE MPAME 12:00 Thu, 20 Mar 2025
A large number of farmers, community members, and farmers’ unions have gathered at Kopano Nokeng Lodge outside Bloemfontein to address the growing challenges posed by stock theft in South Africa.
Mangaung Mayor Gregory Nthatisi welcomed everyone to the city on Thursday (20/3) and hoped they would have fruitful engagements with Police Minister Senzo Mchunu and all other stakeholders.
National Police Commissioner Gen. Fannie Masemola said he hoped the stakeholders could exchange ideas to fight stock theft. “Stock theft is a major issue in South Africa, particularly in rural areas where livestock farming is a key part of the economy.”
“It affects commercial and subsistence farmers alike, leading to significant financial loss.”
The purpose of this ministerial engagement is to discuss the escalating problem of stock theft, review current intervention measures, and explore additional strategies to combat this type of crime, which continues to have a devastating impact on local economies, communities, and farmers, he said.
They decided to start with the provinces affected most – the Free State, Eastern Cape, KwaZulu-Natal, and Limpopo.
At the release of crime statistics, provincial police commissioner Gen. Baile Motswenyane emphasised that “farmers are not reporting, which leads to under-reporting in terms of stock theft in the province and it affects the statistics”.
Existing intervention strategies will be examined. Photo: Zenande Mpame
“The purpose of the engagement is to go over the growing issue of stock theft, examine existing intervention strategies, and look into other ways to stop this kind of crime,” said the spokesperson of the police minister, Kamogelo Mogotsi.
“The third quarter 2024/25 crime statistics revealed stock theft cases decreased by 4.5% in South Africa, yet the Free State, Eastern Cape and KwaZulu-Natal still face issues.”
That is why the stakeholder engagements started in provinces affected the most, she said.
Stakeholder engagements started in provinces affected the most. Photo: Zenande Mpame
AgriOrbit reports the Free State is a stock theft hotspot, and the Eastern Free State, in particular, represents around 60% of the total stock theft in the province.
The 2024/25 first quarter crime statistics revealed a 3.46% increase in stock theft as 25 more cases were reported in the province.
Concerns were raised about South Africans employing undocumented foreign nationals, claiming they often facilitate livestock theft, making it easier for stolen animals to be transported across borders undetected.
