Stock theft under the spotlight

Written by Louis Wessels, Chairman of the National Stock Theft Prevention Forum

Stock theft is as old as man himself and is already mentioned in the Bible. Stock theft is not unique to South Africa, but is a worldwide phenomenon.

Various challenges are associated with stock theft:

Stock theft is nowadays synonymous with life-threatening circumstances for stock farmers due to the fact that stock thieves and syndicates are armed.
The investigation of a stock theft case counts under the most difficult because it occurs outdoors and critical evidence may be destroyed. In order to successfully prosecute a stock theft case, it is therefore important that, apart from the Vis-Pol official, the stock theft investigator reaches the scene urgently.
The lack of capacity within the SAPS and especially the supply of vehicles to the stock theft units, remains a headache. The investigating officers are with the exception of a few, well trained, but unfortunately there is an enormous shortage of manpower. Stock theft is a specialist crime and requires specialist investigating officers.
Sentencing of stock theft is not adequate and cases are frequently thrown out of court due to various reasons, for instance when the farmers’ affidavit differs from his statement in court. It is therefore imperative that the first statement is correctly recorded. Farmers have the right to make the statement in the language of their choice and to ensure that the factual content is correct before it is signed.
It is a perception that inexperienced prosecutors prosecute stock theft cases. However, Justice College of the National Prosecution Authority has started to launch specific training courses to empower prosecutors to effectively prosecute stock theft cases.
Stock theft is currently also associated with brutality and animal cruelty. It is therefore imperative that stock farmers also report animal welfare and abuse in their statement, because the NSPCA will be involved and it may lead to aggravated penalties.
Although pot slaughtering does occur, stock theft in South Africa is essentially a syndicate crime and should be categorised as such by the SAPS. Stock theft is regarded as a profitable crime. Animals are mostly stolen in rural areas and transported to urban areas, especially metropolitan areas, where it is presented for auction.
Farmers themselves are also guilty, as the percentage of animals which is unmarked, is very high. Marking of an animal (branding/tattooing) ensures ownership, an aspect which is critical to successfully resolve a stock theft case and obtain a sentence. Once again, this renders stock theft an extremely difficult crime to solve if animals cannot be linked to the owner. It is also very important that animals on a national road be accompanied by the section 6 and 8 documentation. All livestock owners must apply for a registered brand/tattoo mark with the Registrar of Animal Identification.
Apart from the economic losses associated with stock theft, the transportation of animals also poses a major risk for the animal health status of the national herd, because livestock can be stolen in a controlled/notifiable animal disease area and transported to a non-infected area.
Livestock owners who do not report stock theft cases.

Do the SAPS have the required capacity to effectively combat stock theft?

As is the case with any other state institution, the SAPS’ stock theft units are hampered by enormous capacity and logistical challenges. Vehicles present the biggest problem, especially in provinces where great distances have to be covered. Servicing of vehicles is a further problem and there are times when all the vehicles of the units have to be serviced at the same time, or that units have only one/two vehicles available at that point in time.

As already mentioned, there are very good investigating officers, but cases also exist where members of the SAPS are directly linked to stock theft matters. Stock theft is a specialist crime and therefore requires well trained stock theft investigators. The rural communities are very concerned about the great exodus of specialist investigating officers who retire, and this matter has been addressed by the National Stock Theft Prevention Forum.

What is the impact of livestock theft on food security?

The economic impact of stock theft in South Africa amounts to millions of rands and it is not limited to the commercial sector alone – if an emerging farmer has a herd of ten cattle, he will experience a loss of 50% in income if five cattle is stolen, which obviously has an influence on the economical survivability of the farming enterprise.

It is not only the economic loss of a stolen animal, but also its reproductive value that gets stolen. Therefore, stock theft presents a direct as well as an indirect economic loss to the livestock owner.

How can we address the problem?

The National Stock Theft Prevention Forum revived its strategic plan during its last meeting, and it was resolved to focus on the next four priorities:-

Take action to increase the marking (brand/tattoo) of animals within the provinces to 80%.
Design a model of integrated provincial meetings with crime prevention as a priority by the sharing of information and intelligence, building of relationships, especially with the SAPS, and to work towards prioritised outcomes across all structures within the provinces.
A structured national plan of action by all role players to identify, prioritise and communicate problems in order to inform farmers, prosecutors, livestock auctioneers and members of the SAPS on the core procedures associated with effective stock theft prevention and -control.
A renewed effort to influence the attitude of livestock owners to be more involved with rural safety structures in the support of the activities of all role players within the Forum.

The existing relationship on national and provincial level with stock theft co-ordinators must be extended and strengthened. Co-operation is of utmost importance because it leads to mutual success in solving stock theft cases.

A solution for stock theft problems in South Africa can only be reached if everybody cooperates.

Read the original article here.