A black farmer from Limpopo who had more than 100 animals stolen last week has experienced previous livestock thefts and is desperate due to the police’s inability to solve such cases.
Sheep and goats worth about R320,000 were stolen from David Ntaki in Marble Hall on Saturday, 19 August. Armed robbers tied up Ntaki and one of his workers, stole clothes, a cellphone and the safe keys, and made off with 68 goats and 40 sheep.
Marcelle Maritz, a member of the Limpopo legislature and Freedom Front Plus leader in Limpopo, says livestock theft has been a regular problem for Ntaki, and he has reported several cases that remain unresolved.
The latest livestock theft figures for Limpopo indicate that there have been 2,649 cases this year compared with 2,356 last year.
“The blame can squarely be placed on the shoulders of the police who apparently do not possess the ability to solve cases,” says Maritz.
“It’s time for the ANC government to realise that farm murders and attacks are not a so-called white problem but a problem that deeply affects the entire agricultural and rural community of South Africa, threatening food security.
“The party will handle the matter at the provincial level and will insist that the police establish a special task force and action plan against livestock theft, which will be supported by local security structures.”
