Armed gang steals star’s sheep

AN AWARD-WINNING Eastern Cape gospel singer has become the latest victim of stocktheft after 15 men took 100 Dorper sheep worth R180 000 in front of his family.

The popular singer and winner of a Crown Gospel Award, Butho Vuthela, was not at home when the incident took place at Upper Ngxaxha village near Mount Fletcher.

The incident took place just days after four men were killed in Libode, allegedly by a mob over stocktheft related incidents.

Ten of the villagers are behind bars awaiting trial for the killings.

Speaking to the Dispatch minutes after the theft, Vuthela said it was not the first stocktheft incident at his home.

On July 15, thieves stole 15 sheep at his home and this Saturday apparently returned for more, armed with firearms and pangas.

“These men who were armed with guns arrived at my home and took all the sheep in the kraal.

“They would have shot and killed anyone who tried to stop them. I am just thankful to God that none of my family members were injured,” said Vuthela.

While his sheep were being led out of their kraal, Vuthela and his wife Yolanda were performing in Mthatha at the launch of award-winning gospel singer Betusile Mcinga’s fourth album.

“These are not just ordinary village sheep, they are Dorper sheep,” he said.

He said of the 100 stolen sheep, 20 were found at Marhomber village, five of them lambs that were already dead.

Vuthela said the sheep were his “bank account” as he sold them to pay school and university fees for his six children. He estimated the loss at about R180 000. The gospel singer said stocktheft in their area was prevalent.

The nearest police station, Katkop police station, was about 50km away from their administrative area, which had more than 10 villages.

Police spokesman Captain Khaya Tonjeni confirmed that a case of stocktheft had been opened at the Katkop police station and that no arrests had been made as yet. —