9 January 2023
The news of Rasta Kenosi, the purported leader of a livestock theft syndicate in North West, being kept in detention until his bail hearing has brought temporary relief to farmers in the Kagisano-Molopo area.
According to five farmers who requested anonymity due to concerns about reprisals, they are depending on the legal system to hold Kenosi accountable and put him behind bars for the harm he has allegedly caused.
The crimes allegedly committed by Kenosi and his syndicate, including livestock theft and poisoning cattle, have instilled fear in farmers. Despite their desire to see Kenosi behind bars, they are too intimidated to publicly denounce him and his gang.
After discovering that Kenosi was allegedly responsible for stealing 18 of his heifers, a farmer said he should be jailed for life. According to him, the activities of Kenosi and his gang are causing setbacks for farmers and significant losses for the industry.
“There are some who allege he exclusively steals from white farmers but that’s completely untrue. I’ve experienced his criminal behaviour first-hand,” said the farmer.
“Countless incidents have been brought to my attention where black farmers have been the victims. Besides, crime is crime. Whether he steals from white farmers or black farmers makes no difference.”
Another farmer said he has known Kenosi for many years. He claimed the syndicate has a powerful network that includes prominent businesspeople from the North West, Free State, Northern Cape and Gauteng. South African Police Service members are also involved, he said.
Farmers are afraid to speak out, he said, because they fear a backlash by syndicate members who are still at large. Even though Kenosi is in custody, it is unlikely that many farmers will speak out against him, he said.
Kenosi and two alleged accomplices appeared in the Ganyesa magistrate’s court on 28 December charged with three counts of attempted murder and one count of damaging property. They are accused of shooting three men and destroying a private security vehicle’s windscreen.
Kenosi was granted bail of R5 000 on the attempted murder charges but kept in custody on the charge of wilful damage to property. The other two accused were granted bail.
According to farmers in the Molopo area, Kenosi has reportedly been engaged in criminal activities for a long time. He was in the news at the end of last year after cattle were poisoned on Ockie Goosen’s farm in Bray, near Ganyesa.
