Police recover stolen stock

SEVEN stolen cattle and 47 sheep were recovered on Monday in Sulenkama near Qumbu.

The animals were recovered during an SAPS campaign named Operation Sesikhona (we have arrived).

SAPS spokesman LieutenantColonel Mzukisi Fatyela said: “Four of the recovered cattle were identified by the complainant from Mount Frere. He was allowed to take them back to Mount Frere after producing his stock card.

“The remaining livestock has been taken to the Qumbu stock pound. The owners can go there to identify and claim their livestock.

“We arrested one 40-year-old suspect. He will be charged with stocktheft and will appear in court tomorrow. We are currently seeing whether we can link him to any other stock thefts in the area.

“We are convinced that more arrests will be made and more livestock will be recovered in Operation Sesikhona,” he said.

“There are plenty of officers from various areas such as East London, Queenstown and Mount Frere involved.”

Fatyela said the operation was in response to the plague of stock theft in the local area and surrounds.

He advised farmers worried about stock theft to take precautions.

“Farmers should brand their cattle. They should also make sure not to leave their cattle grazing in unsupervised areas such as the mountains.”

● A 35-year-old man was arrested on Saturday by police at Kei Bridge and charged with raping a young woman.

Captain Jackson Manatha, of the SAPS, said: “The suspect allegedly raped the woman on Saturday at 8pm in Mkhoniane village near Kei Bridge, Butterworth.

“The victim, who is 22, was sleeping alone at home when she was attacked.

“Soon after the incident the victim alerted the community.

“Once the community caught him they phoned the Kei Bridge police who quickly responded,” said Manatha.

Brigadier Trevor Mey, Butterworth Cluster Commander, issued a statement thanking the community for their help.