Stock Theft Act, 1959 (Act Nr 57 Of 1959)
Section 6
Document of identification to be furnished by a person who disposes of stock:
- Section 6 (1) Any person (including any auctioneer, agent or market who sells, barters, gives, or in any other manner disposes of any stock to any other person shall at the time of delivery to such other person of the stock so sold, bartered, given, or disposed of, furnish such other person with a document called a document of identification.
- Section 6 (3) Any person to whom a document of identification has been furnished in terms of subsection (1) shall retain it in his possession for at least one year.
Section 8
Stock or produce driven, conveyed, or transported on or along public roads:
Section 8 (1) provides that no person may drive, convey, or transport any stock or produce that he/she does not own on or along any public road unless he/she has in his/her possession a certificate (removal certificate) issued to him/her by the owner of the stock or produce or the duly authorised agent of the owner.
Animal Identification Act, 2002 (Act Nr 6 Of 2002
Section 7
Duties of owners:
- All owners of cattle, sheep, goats, and pigs must register an identification mark at the office of the registrar of animal identification.
- Each owner must mark his/her animals in the prescribed manner.
- Where the identification mark of cattle, sheep, goats, and pigs has become indistinct or invisible, these must be re-identified in accordance with legal provisions.
- Any owner of an animal with an identification mark on it, who wants to sell, barter, or give away the animal within 14 days after purchasing it, must provide the new owner with a document of identification. This means that within 14 days the animal can be disposed of without being branded with the new owner’s mark.
- The owner of an animal who wants to sell, barter, or give away an animal must mark the animal with his/her mark before disposing of it. The owner must also provide a document of identification to the new owner, which must be kept for one year. This means that after 14 days, an animal cannot be disposed of without the new owner’s mark and a document of identification.
Age of animals at the time of marking (Reg 11)
Cattle
- Can be tattooed from the age of one month
- Must be marked by the age of six months
- Can be branded at the age of six months
- Must be branded by the age of the appearance of the permanent incisors (the two-tooth stage).
Small Stock
- Must be tattooed at the age of one month
Pigs
- Must be tattooed at the age of one month
Ostriches
- Can be tattooed at the age of one month
- Can be branded at the age of six months
Equine
- Can be tattooed at the age of six months
- Can be branded by the age of twelve months
Meat safety Act 2000 (Act no 40 of 2000)
Section 7
Prohibition of slaughter of animals at places other than abattoirs, and exemptions:
- Section 7 (1) provides that no person may-
- Slaughter any animal at any place other than an abattoir
- Permit the slaughter of any animal at any place under his or her control, unless the place is an abattoir, or
- Sell or provide meat for human and animal consumption unless it has been slaughtered at an abattoir.
- Subsection (1) does not apply to slaughter for own consumption, or for cultural or religious purposes.
- Section 7 (2) provides that no meat or animal product obtained from an animal slaughtered as contemplated in paragraph (a) may be sold to any person.
Hints
- 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 ensure 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 from 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 the 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 slaughter 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 are 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 conspiring 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 type 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 on 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 are 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 a 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 and successful investigation of stock theft.
Contact Details:
Contact Your Local Police Station or Stock Theft Unit.