Police nab Mahalapye butchery owner over suspected 'stolen' beef
Pini Bothoko | Wednesday October 22, 2025 18:49
The incident came to light after officers followed up on a lead in a stock theft case reported by a 61-year-old farmer from Morale cattle post, who had initially reported a missing goat. “During investigations, officers went to the suspect’s residence where two men fled the scene, leaving behind some cow meat on the arrival of the police,' Mahalapye Central Police Station commander, Superintendent Meshack Ranku, explained.
“Then, the businesswoman failed to account for the origin of the meat,' he said.
Ranku further stated that, later on, they discovered more meat packaged in plastic bags inside the suspect’s deep freezer.
“The meat was seized, and we are still planning to search the butchery she operates.
“The two male suspects who fled are well-known to the police, and we are pursuing them,” he added.
Preliminary investigations suggest that two cows were slaughtered on different occasions. The woman remains in police custody as investigations continue.
The police chief expressed concern over the rising cases of stock theft in Mahalapye and surrounding areas, noting that farmers continue to lose their livestock, especially goats and cattle, at an alarming rate.
“Stock theft remains one of our biggest challenges in this policing area. We urge farmers to brand their livestock and report suspicious movements promptly,” he said.