Newsroom

By Nape Masemola

Livestock theft in Sekhukhune area took a centre stage during the Ministerial Rural Safety Imbizo held at the Mamone Sports grounds outside Jane Furse in Makhuduthamaga Municipality. Speaker after speaker raised concern about the ever-increasing theft of cattles, and goats in the area and the way some cases have just gone cold while they are reported to the South African Police Services.  The imbizo which was attended by the National Police Minister General Bheki Cele, was aimed at engaging with members of the communities on finding permanent solutions to the crime that is currently on the rise in Sekhukhune.  Outlining the purpose of Imbizo, the acting Divisional Commissioner of Visible Policing and Operations Lieutenant General Shitlabane highlighted that as the South African Police Service they have a programme which its purpose is to interact with citizens on the expectation that they have with regard to policing and the role of communities in as far as containing crime.  Lieutenant General went further to say they also in the area to listen to whatever inputs members of the society have since the police cannot tackle crime alone and therefore need community involvement.   

The engagement session began with a presentation by National African Farmers Union (NAFU) Public Relations Officer, Mr Mashaphu Lesetja who painted a disturbing situation which farmers are faced with regarding the loss of livestock due to crime in the province.  Mr Mashapu told the gathered crowd that Limpopo has for the past five years suffered a great loss of livestock and farm  attacks. Cattles, goats, sheep, wild animals, fowls are being stolen in great numbers and it is even today increasing, and this is greatly affecting our economy. Many farmers are leaving the farm system because of livestock theft The perpetrators utilize different systems for stealing farmers’ livestock in Limpopo, of which amongst others, they kill and skin or remove all the meat from the animals and leave the bones on the ground. “The new method they use, which is so terrible is that perpetrators will arrive at the farm and attack whoever is in the farm and tie them and even cause serious injuries to their bodies. They will then load all the animals of their desire and go away with them. Cases are opened and little arrest were made, and very fewer convictions are also made’’ added Mr Mashapu.

Members of the surrounding communities also raised concern over the increasing number of House Burglary, Hijacking and Armed robberies in the area which is mainly attributed to lack of police visibility. Understaffing and lack of resources such as vehicles were also among issues raised by the business forum particularly in Jane Furse and Nebo areas.  Responding to the issues raised Police Minister, Bheki Cele assured members of the community that they heard their pleas and as a result, intervention will be implemented immediately.  The Minister told the crowd that a number of detectives will be deployed as soon as possible to look at what caused some of the cases not to be followed-up as well as assisting with the issues of stock theft and hijacking. Regarding the issue of Police visibility and the understaffing, Minister Cele said that this year alone over 20000 police officers will complete their training and be deployed in rural police stations as part of the Police Rural Community Strategy. Minister Cele also issued a strong warning to crime perpetrators that the people of South Africa deserve peace and anyone who is committing crime has declared war against the police and that they will act accordingly. On allegations that some Police are involved in criminal activities, the Minister encouraged members of the society to report such matters to Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID) which is tasked with rooting out corrupt elements within the Police.