David Macgregor
MORE than 28 000 cattle valued at about R75-million have been stolen in the Eastern Cape this year as organised syndicates increase their supply of cut- price meat to the townships.
Several farmers have thrown in the towel as the cattle-rustling figures have already doubled what they were for the whole of last year.
At least 35 highly organised syndicates which specialise in supplying illegal meat to townships and unscrupulous butcheries have been identified by police.
Arresting the culprits has proved almost impossible for anti-stock theft units as most of the meat has already been bought by the township clientele before the beasts are slaughtered. Even if meat is found, linking it to a specific carcass or crime requires costly DNA testing. Police say that often by the time a crime has been discovered, “the evidence has already been eaten”. Farms hardest hit by the cattle-rustling often border on the townships. East Cape regional anti-stock theft co-ordinator Superintendent Richard Smith said this week “90% of all kills end-up in the townships. These groups are so organised that they already have customers waiting.
“It is very difficult for police to investigate because most people in the townships are too scared to inform, for fear of getting their throats slit.”
In contrast, Smith said the theft of stock belonging to township residents was negligible as most culprits “are scared of getting caught and killed” by the community.
Several farmers bordering the townships say although the police “try hard”, they are fighting a losing battle against the rustlers. Ecna