Machaneng Police Station commander, Superintendent Gagopale Gaselarona said the unknown suspects are harassing farmers as they trespass into their farms and trap their livestock. “They trap people’s livestock and later when they find them trapped they slaughter them, take the meat, and leave their offal and skin.
We are currently investigating a case that occurred a few days ago in a farm in Dikgatlhong in which the unknown suspects slaughtered three cattle in another farm, took the meat, and left their offal at the crime scene,” he said. Gaselarona said they have since observed the suspects’ modus operandi saying they trespass into people’s farms, trap their animals in what is called ‘go thaisa’ in Setswana and later slaughter everything that got trapped and take the carcasses. He stated that the farmers have wild animals and livestock in their farms which are now a target to stock theft criminals in the area. Meanwhile, Gaselarona said they are also investigating another case in which unknown suspect(s) got into a kraal at night in Sefhare, stole a goat and slaughtered it a few kilometres away from the kraal, took its carcass, and left its offal and skin at the crime scene.
“Investigations into the matter are ongoing to locate and arrest the suspects. Stock theft incidents remain a concern in my policing area despite our efforts to curb the scourge. I am pleading with members of the community to respect people’s farms and their properties,” Gaselarona said.
