Butcher busted for stock theft

A 46-YEAR-old suspect, who is believed to be the owner of a butchery in the Kimberley CBD, was arrested over the weekend along with six accomplices after they were found in possession of stolen cattle, apparently destined for sale at the butchery.

The seven suspects were arrested at a farm in Roodepan this weekend, after they were found with a vehicle and a trailer loaded with seven stolen cattle, worth around R135 000.

Police spokesperson, Captain Olebogeng Tawana, said yesterday that the trailer was loaded with live Bonsmara cattle as well as two slaughtered cattle.

“Our preliminary investigation indicates that all seven cattle were to be slaughtered and that the meat was destined to be sold at the suspect’s butchery in the Kimberley CBD,” said Tawana.

“Suspects aged between 36 and 58 were caught red-handed slaughtering one of the cattle and it was ready to be skinned. We confiscated the bakkie and trailer which were used to transport the stolen cattle.”

The acting Provincial Commissioner of the Northern Cape, Major General de Waal, commended the Northern Cape Flying Squad members for the “excellent job” they did in arresting the stock theft suspects.

The suspects will appear before the Kimberley Magistrate’s Court today on a charge of stock theft.