RUSTENBURG HERALD - RUSTENBURG - The fight against crime in rural areas is making progress after police have arrested seven suspects in two separate incidents.
In the first incident reported on Saturday, 13 January 2024, information was received by Lehurutshe Stock Theft and Endangered Species Unit (STES), leading to a cattle post in Nietverdiend where five Bonsmara cattle were found without brand marks.
Police seized the cattle and took them to a local pound. Upon further investigation, tattoo marks were found inside the cattle’s ears, leading the police to the rightful owner who reported that ten of his cattle were stolen earlier this month from his farm in Zeerust. Consequently, investigations resulted in the arrest of three suspects on Friday, 19 January 2024. The suspects, aged between 27 and 41, will appear before the Zeerust Magistrates’ Court on Monday, 22 January 2024, on a charge of stock theft.
In another separate incident reported on Friday, 19 January 2024, Ventersdorp police, with the assistance of local farmers, apprehended four suspects between the ages of 33 and 37, after being found in possession of suspected stolen solar panels. It is alleged that solar panels were stolen from a farm at about 20:00. Thus, the suspects' vehicles; a Toyota Yaris and Opel sedan were traced and spotted on the R30 road between Ventersdorp and Derby. The four suspects were nabbed after being found with 12 solar panels in their vehicles.
They will appear before the Ventersdorp Magistrates’ Court on Monday, 22 January 2023, for possession of suspected stolen goods (solar panels).
