The police in the Northern Cape have noted with concern the increase in the number of stock theft cases, specifically targeting sheep and goats.

The police in the Northern Cape have noted with concern the increase in the number of stock theft cases, specifically targeting sheep and goats.

May 27, 2026 • News

Property-related crimes remain a priority for the SAPS and efforts are being bolstered to curb these crimes.

The police request that farmers and livestock owners implement the following safety tips in order to safeguard their stock:

* Ensure that all fences and gates are maintained in order to protect livestock.
* Ensure that holes in and under fences are repaired immediately.
* Property owners should not merely delegate, but take charge by inspecting their livestock.
* The yards or kraals where the stock is kept should be secured.
* Be particularly watchful during a full moon, over weekends, at the end or beginning of a month, or during periods when stock theft (slaughtering for the pot) usually occurs.
* Know your neighbours.
* Livestock owners should count their livestock at least once a week.
* The necessity of a thorough stock register cannot be emphasised enough.
* Owners must brand their stock. Visit SAPS Stock Theft Unit offices, where application forms will be issued to apply for branding certificates through the Department of Agriculture.
* Owners should properly mark their livestock according to the Animal Identification Act, 2002 (Act No. 6 of 2002), preferably by branding them.
* Farmers are advised to invest in technology such as CCTV cameras to curb stock theft.
* Owners of livestock are encouraged to make use of helplines created through cooperation between SAPS, local farmers’ unions, and communities.
* If you notice strange animals or suspicious persons at a cattle post, report it to SAPS and your neighbours immediately.
* Refrain from hiring undocumented persons as employees on your farm.
* Ensure that you have full details of labourers, as this can assist police with investigations into stock theft.

Engage with the local South African Police Service and Stock Theft and Endangered Species Units (STESU) and assist the SAPS in their efforts to curb stock theft.

Anyone with information about #StockTheft activities can contact the SAPS #CrimeStop number on 08600 10111 or use the #MySAPSApp.

Rural Safety and Preventing Stock Theft

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Crime stock theft