The Lejweleputswa police dealt a heavy blow to livestock thieves in the Bultfontein district when three suspects were arrested while slaughtering sheep.
The theft of 40 sheep from the Maartiensrus Farm was confirmed on Sunday, 28 July.
WO Modisana Motaung, Sgt Matshidiso Ntantiso, Sgt Lesego Moshodi, Const. Mojalefa Ngake, Const. Tshidiso Tlali, Const. Ikaneng Maropeng and Const. Thembekile Fepane, members of the Bultfontein police’s Crime Prevention unit, followed leads to about 52 km away from where the sheep had been taken.
The police found 14 sheep carcasses, with 23 live sheep and 11 lambs. The police confiscated one Toyota Corolla (registration number HBP 556 FS), four cellphones, six Lesotho passports, and three knives.
“The three suspects, aged 32, 37, and 49 years, were arrested for being found in possession of suspected stolen stock,” says Capt. Stephen Thakeng, media liaison officer for the police in Lejweleputswa.
In a separate operation conducted as part of Vala Umgodi that is aimed at thwarting illegal mining, law enforcement agencies seized dagga, cigarettes, explosive devices, food and batteries.
On 17 July, police units working within Operation Vala Umgodi, together with mine security, managed to arrest three foreign nationals for illegal mining activities at the Kopanong mine, Viljoenskroon.
“Preliminary investigation reveals that the three suspects were previously arrested for illegal mining in the St Helena mine, Welkom, during 2011 and 2016, respectively, and the third one was arrested for illegal immigration in Randfontein during 2022,” says Thakeng.
During the operation they confiscated various food and household items from underground that included batteries, drugs (dagga), cigarettes, miscellaneous tools and pieces of equipment, over-the-counter medicine, cellphones, and cash.
“They also came across and confiscated two amalgam balls, two full boxes of detonators (containing 600 pieces), and one 25 kg box of Explogel (50 pieces),” says Thakeng.
The suspects are facing charges of suspected illegal mining, trespassing, attempted theft, and illegal immigration. They have appeared in the Viljoenskroon Magistrates’ Court.
“We will continue to hit hard on illegal mining activities and we will be working together with mine security to fulfil the mandate of this venture, which is to prevent and combat illegal mining and other related crimes within the Free State,” says Thakeng.
