VERY IMPORTANT
v Count your livestock REGULARLY.
v Report ALL stock theft cases IMMEDIATELY.
v Keep a controlled LIVESTOCK REGISTER.
v MARK your stock accordingly.
Ø Livestock-owners should keep all
fences & gates in proper condition to protect their livestock. The
employment of a specially trained employee can be considered for daily fence
patrolling. He can see to it that holes in & under fences are repaired at
once. Inspect these reparations yourself.
Ø Loading ramps in paddocks or on
farms away from direct supervision
should be kept locked or obstructed at all times.
Ø If you consider buying an
additional farm, remember, “absentee landlords gather no crops”. Rather try & buy close to your
residential farm.
Ø Prevent stolen animals from being
hidden on your property. Stock-posts serve as ideal overnight stopovers to hide stolen livestock.
Unknown livestock found at such posts should immediately be reported to the SAPS.
Ø Livestock at stock posts should
be counted by the livestock-owner him-/herself at least once a week.
Ø If employees at stock posts
possess their own animals, a good
preventative measure against stock theft, (if involvement of employees is
suspected) is to allow the animals to mix & graze together.
Ø Many court cases are lost because of disputes
regarding the proper identification of animals. If an animal is marked with a
registered brand mark or tattoo, disputes will be avoided. Employees should
properly mark their livestock, according to the Animal Identification Act, 2002
(Act No 6 of 2002), preferably by branding them.
Ø
Be particularly watchful during full moon, weekends & at the
end or beginning of a month, or during periods that you know from your own
experience, when stock thefts (slaughtering for the pot) occur.
Ø
Report unknown animals among your animals immediately to the SAPS
& your neighbours.
Ø
Livestock-owners should at all times report all livestock theft cases
on their property immediately. The longer the delay, the less the possibility
of achieving success. An additional case of cruelty to animals can also be made.
Ø
The regular herding & counting of animals are of obvious
importance. Also check up upon your employees' livestock. If it is not possible
to count your livestock everyday, try counting your animals at least twice a
week on irregular days. Avoid any routines, especially at stock posts, as your
employees may be informers to stock thieves.
Shortages & signs indicating possible thefts should immediately be
reported. The livestock-owners must count the animals him-/herself & can
not leave it to his/her employees to do the counting or to lodge any
complaints.
Ø
When considering applicants for employment, enquiries should be
made at previous employers to establish the real reason why an employee had
left his previous work. Enquiries should also be lodged at the SAPS to
determine whether the applicant has a criminal record. Establish what kind of criminal record the
applicant has.
Ø
Employees should be trained to pay attention to irregularities. Ask
your employees to watch what they say about activities on the farm in the
presence of strangers. Careless talk can lead to livestock losses.
Ø
Report immediately to your Stock Theft Unit when animal speculators
& hide & bone buyers or livestock dealers from neighbouring countries
are active in your area. Keep proper record of all prospective livestock buyers
as soon as you enter negotiations.
Ø
The necessity of a thorough stock register cannot be emphasised
enough. Commit to paper as much details as possible and keep the register up to
date yourself.
Ø
Do not allow loitering on the farm or any idle & unemployed
people to settle on your property. Strangers entering the farm or visiting
labourers should first obtain your permission.
Implement a visitors control system, wherein all particulars of visitors
to the farm are noted, whom they’re visiting & when they’re leaving.
Ø
It often happens that border livestock-owners become involved with
illegal trade with citizens of neighbouring countries in some or other way like
the renting of grazing pastures. There are legal steps that must be taken in
this regard, but if not taken, such actions can create the ideal climate for
other crimes & stock theft.
Ø
It often happens that stock theft cases have to be withdrawn due to a lack of interest or reluctance shown by some
complainants to attend court proceedings. Show interest in solved cases &
attend all court cases.
Ø
Cooperate with the local SAPS & Stock Theft Unit, & not
against them. Support them in their
efforts to help you.
SOUTH AFRICAN CONTACT DETAILS
Contact your local Police Station
or Stock Theft Unit.
Stock Theft Unit (Head
Office)
Telephone number: 012
393119
Fax: 012 3931548
Email: stuhoops@saps.gov.za