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So said Lt.Col. Alpheus Mokale, provincial stock theft unit coordinator after he told Northern News that 57 stolen cattle from all over Limpopo were confiscated and are being held at the Percy Fyfe Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA).
Whether livestock buyers in any capacity such as a speculator, farmer, auctioneer or abattoir are knowingly or unknowingly recipients of stolen livestock, they automatically become liable for prosecution, says Mokale. “They can also be held liable for a fine,” he added.
Mokale explained that the increase in stock theft is mainly attributed to the non-compliance by role-players within the industry. “People who do not properly identify livestock through mandatory branding are damaging the economy.”
Statistics show the SA Livestock Industry is under strain and ongoing non compliance by livestock traders to basic requirements such as firebranding of livestock can have catastrophic consequences, says Mokale. Animals marked with a registered brand will make it easier to recover stock and it will discourage stock thieves. Disputes in courts regarding positive identification thereof will be something of the past, say legal experts.
Mokale urges owners of livestock to support the police by adhering to the various acts regulating owners of cattle and other livestock.
All livestock owners are urged to register a unique brand mark in their name and to apply it to all livestock in their possession in the prescribed manner as described in the Animal Identification Act, (Act 6 of 2002).
Col. Mokale advises livestock owners to contact their local stock theft office for advice on or complaints about livestock and or stock theft. Livestock owners can also contact the Red Meat Industry Forum at 012 665 146 or read more about legislation by visiting www.redmeatsa.co.za.
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