Stock theft continues to trouble Palapye farmers
Pini Bothoko | Wednesday October 8, 2025 06:00
According to Palapye Police Station commander, Superintendent Koziba Phuluweni, the situation has become worrisome as thieves appear to have devised new ways of carrying out the crimes. He said the police have observed that in most of the reported cases, thieves use vehicles to load stolen goats, making it easier for them to flee undetected. “In many of the scenes we have visited, we often find car tyre marks not far from the kraal, suggesting that the thieves use vehicles to transport the stolen goats. As for cattle, they seem to take advantage when the animals are grazing in the open fields, away from the presence of herders,” Phuluweni said.
He explained that goats kept in kraals located in the outskirts of the village or on the lands are the most targeted, particularly those belonging to farmers who do not have herders to look after them.
“These goats are easy targets because their owners usually return to Palapye after kraaling them, leaving them unguarded,” he noted.
Phuluweni revealed that police are currently investigating a case involving a farmer and his herder who were arrested at a cattle post on the outskirts of Radisele village after a stolen cow mysteriously reappeared at its owner’s kraal with a different brand mark and ear mark belonging to the arrested farmer.
“The owner had reported the missing cow some time back, and when it eventually came back, it had a brand and ear mark belonging to another farmer on top of his branding. When questioned, both the farmer and his herder failed to give a satisfactory explanation. The farmer claimed ignorance, saying he was unaware of how the animal came to bear his brand, and blamed his herder for the incident,” he said.
However, Phuluweni said the police suspect that the farmer was complicit in the act.
“We strongly believe the farmer knew what was going on because, had he found the cow amongst his herd without knowing its origins, the right thing to do would have been to report it to the police. His failure to do so suggests otherwise,” he stated.
In a separate incident, two young men aged 21 and 22 were recently arrested in Lechana after they were found in possession of two suspected stolen goats. The pair was stopped by police during a stop, question, and search operation, and failed to account for the animals found in their donkey cart.
“When our officers stopped them for questioning, one of the suspects fled the scene. We have since launched a search to locate and arrest him. We continue to receive reports of stock theft in the area, particularly cases involving goats being stolen at night,' he said.
He added that the increasing number of such reports suggests that the culprits may have established a ready market for stolen goats in Palapye.
“It appears that there is a consistent demand for goat meat, and thieves are exploiting this. We suspect that some local butchers or street food vendors, popularly known as bommaseapei, might be buying stolen livestock to sustain their businesses,” Phuluweni said.
He explained that the demand for meat, especially goat and beef, remains high in Palapye as it forms part of people’s daily diet, creating a lucrative market for thieves.
“Because meat sells fast, these criminals are assured of quick profits, making stock theft an attractive venture for them,” he added.
Phuluweni has since urged farmers to take stronger preventive measures by hiring herders to guard their livestock on the lands, rather than leaving animals unattended.
“Most farmers tend to kraal their goats and cattle in the bush and return home to Palapye, which exposes their animals to thieves. It is better to employ someone who can stay there and watch over them,” he advised.
Despite the challenges, Phuluweni expressed appreciation for the growing cooperation between the police and local farmers through farmers’ committees. He said these committees have played a key role in helping to solve some of the stock theft cases by promptly reporting suspicious movements and activities within their areas.
Phuluweni further called on members of the public to continue working closely with the police by reporting any suspicious activities involving livestock, stressing that community cooperation remains key in fighting stock theft.