Police in the South African Police Service OR Tambo District have recovered dozens of suspected stolen livestock and arrested a 23-year-old man during a series of operations across the region.
The arrest was made on Thursday, 9 April 2026, in the Mncwasa locality under the Kwaaiman policing precinct. The suspect was found herding 11 sheep believed to have been stolen from a kraal the previous night in Mqanduli. The animals were positively identified by their owner. Two accomplices fled the scene and remain at large.
In a separate operation in the Phingilili and Bhokisini localities under the Bityi policing precinct, police recovered 48 sheep and 12 goats from two abandoned homesteads. The overnight operation, led by local commanders, was carried out between Wednesday evening and early Thursday morning.
Some of the recovered livestock have already been identified by their rightful owners, while unclaimed animals have been taken to the Tsolo Municipality stock pound.
In another incident, five cattle were recovered in Nxotwe locality, Qumbu, by the OR Tambo District Stock Theft Prevention Task Team. The animals, which were unknown to the local community, have been moved to the Qumbu Municipality stock pound. Police have urged stock theft victims to visit local pounds to identify their livestock.
The 23-year-old suspect is expected to appear before the Mqanduli Magistrate’s Court on Friday, 10 April 2026, on charges of unlawful possession of suspected stolen stock.
OR Tambo District Commissioner Norman Modishana commended officers for their efforts, highlighting the serious impact of stock theft on affected families and communities.
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