Stock theft
A new communication policy has been formulated to address the headaches of stock theft in the Western Cape more effectively.
Stock theft
New communication policy in WC in fight against stock theft
27 January 2020
New communications policy in US fights stock theft.
A new communication policy has been formulated to address the headache of stock theft in the Free State more effectively. The Free State Red Meat Producers Organization (RPO), National Cloud Growers Association (NWGA) in the province and Free State Agriculture (FSA) have teamed up to make it easier for their members to know what guidelines to follow when experiencing livestock theft problems.
Each of them plays a specific role in the fight against stock theft and it is important for farmers and others to know who to contact when. In this way, communication will improve and problems can be addressed with greater success. Role of Stock Theft Prevention Forum
Combating Livestock Theft
Procedure for reporting and further handling stock theft cases:
1. Report case immediately.
2. Get the name and rank of the police officer with whom the case was reported.
3. Write down the time, date and police station name and VB number.
4. The uniformed police must then take statements on the farm and hand over the case to the particular stock theft unit.
5. The stock theft investigating officer must then provide his name and mast number of the case to the livestock owner.
6. The livestock owner must take care not to damage tracks and other evidence.
7. Ensure that defendants are charged with as many crimes as possible (Theft, trespassing and animal cruelty) Important!
Farmers must report all livestock theft cases no matter how small, even if their previous experiences were unsatisfactory. Staff at police stations are assigned based on cases reported.
Role players
- The livestock owner
- Police (9 stock theft units in Free State)
- Department of Justice
- Department of Correctional
- Services Password Livestock
- theft forum in the Free State to coordinate activities of various role players
- Best results are achieved when all role players work together
Stock theft:
- seriously infringes on the profitability and international competitiveness of livestock owners in SA
- has a negative impact on the land
- reform process and black economic empowerment
- is a unique crime
- Live animals are involved Graze unprotected in field
- Can not be locked
- Often extreme cruelty to animals
- Special relationship between livestock owner and his animals
- Theft of his livestock is an emotional experience for owner
Cross-border crimes:
- Stock theft
- Pasture and leak theft Infrastructure damage
- Other forms of theft (vehicles, tools, parts and pipes and windmills)
- Assault of RSA herdsmen
- Daggas smuggling
Fight back against stock theft !
Thanks to the rapid development of technology, there are nowadays alternative or additional preventative measures to consider:
Farm Ranger :
already used by farmers in the Stoffberg area, collars cost R6 100 per unit. There is a monthly fee of R139 with which the company itself ensures that there is enough airtime on your collar so that you do not have to worry about it. Batteries last between two and three months and can be charged while the animals are in the kraal. From December, collars with a longer battery life will be on sale.
Find Me Security :
offers collars for cattle at R3 650 and one for sheep and goats at R1 750. The tires are loaded with a solar panel with an extra option to load them yourself. You can call the collar and listen to background noises. There is an alarm that goes off when the collar is removed or cut. There is also no limit to distance and you can check your livestock’s movements in Middelburg while you are on holiday in Cape Town.
Cattle Watch :
their collars offer a five-year warranty and their batteries last three years. They do not use SIM cards in their collars and say that the monthly cost to monitor the collars will amount to at most R8 per collar. A unit costs R650 and they offer discounts on a sliding scale depending on how many units you purchase. Their website says that their collars can not only be used to combat stock theft, but also to inform farmers about sick animals.