A farmer from Lichtenburg in North West has criticised the police for their slow response after he reported the theft of maize seed on his farm.

By Suzanne Venter

Four incidents of seed theft have been reported in recent weeks. Every time, it was maize seed, says former police officer Jurg Kruger of SA Polygraph and Investigation Services (SAPIS). “There was an incident in Bethlehem and another near Ventersburg, both in the Free State. Then a truck was robbed of maize seed worth R2 million near Kroonstad, and the previous Saturday there was theft at a farm near Lichtenburg.”

Police Take Days to Respond

After the most recent theft near Lichtenburg was reported, the police allegedly took three days to go out to the farm and open a case.

“This morning, Friday, 10 October – almost a week after the theft on Saturday, 4 October – someone finally came to check for fingerprints,” says the farmer, who wishes to remain anonymous. “Of course, it’s far too late to find fingerprints.”

The farmer says 30 bags of maize seed were stolen from a shed.

“It’s clear that the theft was well planned and that they knew exactly what they were looking for. The thieves stole 20 bags of DEKALB DKC78-77BR and 10 bags of DEKALB DKC76-75B maize seed. Just outside the shed were bags of Pioneer maize seed, which they didn’t take.”

He says the stolen seed was kept in a separate room inside the shed, and it was evident that the burglars knew precisely which locks to break.

The farmer has security cameras on the property, but the only one that does not record movement was turned away before the power supply was cut. Because no one else was near the shed at the time and it runs on a separate power line, the thieves could take their time.

“The cameras and alarms were all down. I only realised something was wrong when I unlocked the shed at 6 am on Monday morning,” he says.

“When I checked the footage, I saw the power had been off since Saturday (4 October) at around 10:30 pm, after the cables were cut.”

The farmer says he called the Lichtenburg police station shortly afterwards and was told that someone would come out to the farm. No one arrived, however. When he phoned again on Wednesday, the same promise was made.

“Every time, they said our case was one of many on their list of complaints, something like 15, and that they would get to us,” he says.

Police officers eventually arrived at around 11 am on Thursday to investigate the crime scene.

“They advised me to go to the police station myself in future if it takes that long for someone to come out,” the farmer says. “But that’s not really how it’s supposed to work.”

Seed shortage

The farmer says the value of the stolen seed is estimated at about R450 000. It is a double blow, as there is currently a shortage of maize seed. “My sales representative has already told me he doesn’t have any more of that seed for me, which is really bad news.”

Kruger sent a message on behalf of SAPIS to all security networks, asking them to distribute it to seed farmers in summer crop areas via their respective WhatsApp groups. In the message, he notes that the seed, pesticide and fertiliser crime syndicate remains fully operational.

“Although several arrests have already been made, the network at ground level and on farms has not yet been fully addressed. We are making good progress in supporting provincial units against organised crime, but the syndicate’s tentacles are reaching far and wide,” Kruger warns.

He urged farmers and communities to properly secure their seed supplies, ensure that alarm and camera systems are functioning, and respond immediately when an alarm is triggered.

* Comment from the South African Police Service will be added once it is received.