Unreported stock theft cases worry Gantsi authorities
Leinanyana Tsiane | Wednesday September 23, 2015 16:59
“This is worrying because I know that cattle are being stolen but there are no cases brought before me. It is puzzling. The police are not bringing any cases forward,” he said. Lekgothu said many complexities hinder stock theft cases in Gantsi, including lack of cooperation among farmers at the cattle posts, which is where theft is often committed. He also said that in cases where the cattle are traced, thieves steal them again from the kraals where they are kept as evidence.
According to Lekgothu, stock theft crime is usually committed by youth in the area, as many of them are idle and unemployed.
He said some youth in Gantsi do not want to work and prefer cattle rustling as a source of income.
“Youth do nothing but imbibe alcohol and take drugs. They do not want to use the opportunities that government offers such as grants to start their own businesses,” he said. Lekgothu said Gantsi was also affected by a spate of house break-ins, and that police officers and volunteers, are working around the clock to arrest the problem.