The police in the Northern Cape have noted with concern the increase in the number of #StockTheft cases reported in all five districts in the province during the festive season.
Property-related crimes remain a priority for the SAP,S and efforts are being made to curb these crimes.
The police request that farmers and livestock owners implement the following safety hints in order to safeguard their stock;
*Ensure that all fences and gates are maintained in order to protect their livestock.
*Ensure that holes in and under fences are repaired immediately.
*Property owners should not merely delegate but take charge by inspecting their livestock.
*The yards or kraals where the stock is kept should be secured.
*Be particularly watchful when there is a full moon, over weekends and at the end or beginning of a month, or during periods that you know from experience when stock theft (slaughtering for the pot) occurs.
*Know your neighbours
*Livestock owners should count livestock at least once a week.
*The necessity of a thorough stock register can not be emphasized enough.
*Owners, brand your stock! Go to SAPS Stock Theft Unit offices, where you will be issued with application forms and apply for branding certificates to the Department of Agriculture.
*Owners should properly mark their livestock according to the Animal Identification Act, 2002(Act No 6 of 2002), preferably by branding them.
*Farmers are advised to invest in technology such as CCTV cameras to curb stock theft.
*Owners of livestock are encouraged to make use of helplines created through cooperation between SAPS, local farmers unions, and communities.
*If you notice strange animals or suspicious persons at a cattle post, report it to SAPS and your neighbours immediately.
*Refrain from hiring undocumented persons as employees on your farm.
*Ensure that you have full details of labourers as this can assist police with investigations of stock theft.
Cooperate with the local South African Police Service and Stock Theft and Endangered Species Units (STESU) and assist the SAPS in their efforts to curb stock theft.
Anyone with information about stock theft activities can contact SAPS Crime Stop number on 08600 10111 or MySAPS App.
