Tshepiso Molefe (33) and Itumeleng Andrew Phokomusi (41) were remanded in custody upon their appearance before the Wolmaransstad Magistrates’ Court on Monday, 8 August 2022, on a charge of possession of suspected stolen sheep. They are expected to reappear at the same court on Monday, 15 August 2022.

The accused were arrested in the early hours of Saturday morning, 6 August 2022, after members of Wolmaransstad Crime Prevention noticed a suspicious red bakkie with a canopy, driving on the N12 road from Wolmaransstad towards Klerksdorp. The members then pulled the vehicle over to the side of the road and found 19 sheep in the back with estimated value of R40 000.00. The accused could not give proper account of the ownership of the sheep and had no permit to transport the sheep.

The sheep were impounded for further investigations by the Stilfontein Stock theft and Endangered Species (STES) Unit.

The Provincial Commissioner of North West, Lieutenant General Sello Kwena, applauded Wolmaransstad Crime Prevention Unit members for their commitment and alertness that led to the arrest. Moreover, he urged the farmers to brand mark their livestock in accordance with the Animal Identification Act, 2002 (Act No. 6 of 2002).

Source: South African Police Service