- Livestock-owners should keep all fences and gates in proper condition to protect their livestock. The employment of a specially trained employee can be considered for daily fence patrolling, to see that holes in and under fences are repaired. It is advisable to inspect these repairs.
- Loading ramps in paddocks or on farms away from direct supervision should be kept locked or barricaded at all times.
- If you consider buying an additional farm, remember this saying: “absentee landlords gather no crops”. Try to buy close to your residential farm.
- Prevent stolen animals being hidden on your property. Stock-posts serve as ideal overnight stop-overs to hide livestock. Unknown livestock found at such posts should be reported to the SAPS immediately.
- Report unknown animals among your animals immediately to the SAPS & your neighbours.
- Livestock at stock posts should be counted by the livestock-owner at least once a week.
- If employees at stock posts possess their own animals, a good preventative measure against stock theft (if involvement of employees is suspected) is to allow the animals to mix and graze together.
- Many court cases are lost because of disputes regarding the proper identification of animals. If an animal is marked with a registered brand or tattoo, disputes will be avoided. Employees should properly mark their livestock, according to the Animal Identification Act, 2002 (Act No 6 of 2002), preferably by branding them.
- Be particularly watchful during the full moon, on weekends and at the beginning or end of a month, or during periods that you know stock theft (often slaughtering for the pot) occurs.
- Livestock-owners should report livestock theft cases immediately. The longer the delay, the lower the possibility of recovering them.
- The regular herding and counting of animals is of obvious importance. Also check up on your employees’ livestock. If it is not possible to count your livestock daily, count your animals at least twice a week on irregular days. Avoid routines, especially at stock posts, as your employees may be in cahoots with stock thieves. Shortages and signs indicating possible theft should be reported immediately. The livestock owner must count the animals and not leave this, or the lodging of complaints to employees.
- When considering applicants for employment, enquiries should be made at previous employers to establish the reasons an employee left their previous workplace. Enquiries should also be made at the SAPS to determine whether the applicant has a criminal record, and if so, the kind of criminal record.
- Employees should be trained to pay attention to irregularities; as well as to what they say about activities on the farm in the presence of strangers. Careless talk can lead to livestock losses.
- Report immediately to your Stock Theft Unit when animal speculators and hide and bone buyers or livestock dealers from neighbouring countries are active in your area. Keep proper records of all prospective livestock buyers as soon as you enter negotiations.
- The necessity of a thorough stock register cannot be emphasised enough. Commit as much detail to paper as possible and keep the register up-to-date.
- Do not allow loitering on the farm or idle unemployed people to settle on your property. Strangers entering the farm or visiting labourers should first obtain your permission. Implement a visitor control system, where the particulars of visitors are noted, as well as whom they’re visiting and when they leave.
- It sometimes happens that border livestock-owners become involved in illegal trade with citizens of neighbouring countries, such as the renting of grazing pastures. Such actions can create a climate for crimes and stock theft.
- Stock theft cases sometimes have to be withdrawn due to lack of interest or reluctance by complainants to attend court proceedings. Show interest in unsolved cases and attend court cases.
- Cooperate with the local SAPS and Stock Theft Unit – support them in their efforts to help you.
IMPORTANT:
- Count your livestock REGULARLY
- Report ALL stock theft cases IMMEDIATELY
- Keep a controlled LIVESTOCK REGISTER
- MARK your stock
MISSION
To render exceptional service to all livestock owners by means of the combating & successful investigation of stock theft.
CONTACT DETAILS:
Contact Your Local Police Station or Stock Theft Unit.