Five people were caught red-handed on Wednesday evening when they were allegedly carrying sunflower and maize seeds, as well as pesticide, from a farmer’s store on a farm near Delareyville in the North West. Two were arrested, while three others got away.
By Suzanne Venter
“They had already carried 29 bags of sunflower seeds, 16 bags of corn seeds and 28 cans of Roundup out. It was all outside when we got there,” said one of the farmers, who wished to remain anonymous and was at the scene.
“Seed thieves have never been caught red-handed. So we are very happy about the breakthrough,” he said, adding that it was due to good cooperation.
The farm owner’s wife saw people moving around outside on their security cameras at around 9:50 p.m.
The Delareyville Control Room, a security group under the control of the Delareyville Agricultural Union, was notified.
They notified farmers in the area with emergency response training, as well as the police, and three farmers were on the scene within 15 minutes.
Also read: Seed theft costing Free State and North West farmers millions
One of the farmers said the suspects were busy carrying out the seed and pesticide and there was no vehicle yet to pick up their loot. They probably got scared when the farmers arrived and ran away.
One of the farmers in the area helped to try and locate the suspects with a thermal drone (which can fly at night and take footage).
“It helped a lot and we were able to catch two suspects. Unfortunately, three of them got away. But they weren’t able to steal any of the seed or pesticide, and it’s a big breakthrough that we were able to catch two,” the farmer said.
According to him, this was only thanks to the quick response and cooperation.
“We also have to give credit to the Delareyville police. They were on the scene within 45 minutes, which is very good.”
Sisu, the local response force that assists with arrests, also arrived on the scene and supported the police.
The two suspects are currently in custody and the police are investigating the incident.
African Farming will report further on this as more information becomes available.
Also read:
Maize seed worth R450 000 stolen on one farm
‘Wave’ of maize theft hits Free State
