The two suspects who were arrested for stock theft.
Two suspects caught red-handed slaughtering suspected stolen cattle on Tuesday March 24 in Mayflower.
According to the Mpumalanga police spokesperson, Colonel Mavela Masondo, the arrests followed after the police received a tip-off regarding a group of five men busy slaughtering livestock at Ngodini Farm, located within the dense Mayflower forest.
“As officers closed in on the scene, the group of five suspects attempted to evade arrest, fleeing into the surrounding bushes in different directions. After a brief pursuit, police managed to apprehend two suspects, aged 30 and 42. Three other suspects remains at large, and a manhunt is currently underway to bring them to justice,” he said
Masondo also said upon inspecting the scene, police discovered the carcasses of the slaughtered cattle. The two amen are expected to appear before the Mayflower Magistrate’s Court shortly. They face charges, including theft of livestock, possession of suspected stolen stock
“As police in Mpumalanga has issued a high-level warning to both stock theft syndicates and the public at large. Authorities emphasised that the market for stolen meat is what keeps these criminal enterprises profitable. Buying stolen stock is a serious criminal offence, as it directly feeds the market for criminals,” Masondo said.
Communities are urged to report suspicious activities of stock theft to the nearest police station or by calling crime stop number which is 08600 10111. Information can also anonymously be sent via My SAPS App.
