MBABANE – The Royal Eswatini Police Service (REPS) has joined South African law enforcement agencies in recovering livestock worth more than E290 000 near the Eswatini border.
The recovery was made during Operation Basadi, a joint cross-border operation targeting stock theft networks operating around Ndonga Farm and Mafufumbe, near Mayflower, in Mpumalanga.
According to IOL, the operation was conducted on Monday and involved the REPS Stock Theft and Endangered Species (STES) unit and more than four South African law enforcement agencies.
The multi-agency operation included the South African Police Service (SAPS) STES units from Elukwatini, Ermelo, Bethal and Middelburg, Visible Policing members, the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) and the REPS STES unit.
SAPS spokesperson Sergeant Thulisile Magagula reportedly said officers screened 129 cattle and 67 sheep and goats, conducted 19 searches and carried out five farm patrols during the operation.
Three significant recoveries were recorded and were linked to reported stock theft cases on either side of the border.
At the Ermelo Pound, cattle, calves, sheep and carcasses valued at approximately E160 000 were impounded.
Seven goats valued at about E22 000, which had previously been reported stolen in a Chrissiesmeer case, were also recovered after being found abandoned and tied with ropes at a grazing camp at Ndonga Farm.
A further 12 cattle valued at E110 000 were recovered in the Mayflower area. The cattle are believed to be linked to an ongoing stock theft case in the area.
Magagula reportedly said no arrests were made during the operation.
However, police issued three official notices for alleged contraventions of the Animal Identification Act 6 of 2002 and the Stock Theft Act.
The operation highlights the role of cross-border cooperation between Eswatini and South African law enforcement agencies in tackling livestock theft, particularly in areas close to the two countries’ shared border.
Mpumalanga SAPS Provincial Commissioner Lieutenant General Apaphia Modise reportedly praised the cooperation between the agencies.
He said South Africa remained committed to working with neighbouring countries to disrupt cross-border crime syndicates and protect farming communities.
Leave a comment