Stock Theft Hints

   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