EASTERN CAPE – A senior government official and his son have been charged with possession of suspected stolen livestock following a police operation in the OR Tambo District.
Two men, aged 51 and 22, were arrested near the Decoligny R61 road outside Mthatha on Friday afternoon in connection with the alleged theft of 38 sheep, police have confirmed.
The father and son duo were apprehended at approximately 16:10 whilst travelling in a Toyota Hilux vehicle towing a trailer laden with the livestock. The arrest was carried out by the OR Tambo Stocktheft Prevention Task Team as part of intensified police operations ahead of the festive season.
Police spokesperson Captain Welile Matyolo said police acted on intelligence suggesting that sheep stolen from the Tabase A/A area on Thursday, 4 December were being transported to Tabankulu.
“Officers swiftly intercepted the vehicle and discovered the 38 sheep loaded on the trailer. During preliminary investigations, the rightful owner positively identified the recovered animals as his stolen livestock, according to police reports.”
The suspects are scheduled to appear in the Mthatha Magistrates’ Court on Monday, 8 December, facing charges of possession of suspected stolen sheep.
Major General Norman Modishana, OR Tambo District Commissioner, praised the swift police response whilst emphasising the force’s commitment to tackling livestock theft.
“Stocktheft is one of our priority crimes we are dealing with harshly, and we thank communities who come forward with information relating to stocktheft and urge them to continue doing so.”
The arrests form part of broader police efforts to ensure public safety during the festive season period in the OR Tambo District.
