QACHA’S NEK — In a remarkable achievement, the Sekake Police Post has recorded only one stock-theft case from May 2024 to date, according to Sub Inspector Hlalele Machachamise, the post’s Commanding Officer.
Speaking during the 11th Edition of the Indigenous Seed Fair Festival, hosted by the Southern Mountains Association for Rural Transformation and Development (SMARTD), Sub Inspector Machachamise expressed pride in the post’s tireless efforts to combat stock theft, a crime that has long threatened farmers’ livelihoods.
He emphasized that Sekake Police Post covers even the most remote areas, stretching from Hlahloeng to Qabane, and highlighted the ongoing investigations into the lone reported case.
The only case on record, he clarified, involved animals that went missing in October 2024 but were only reported to police last month.
He said preliminary investigations suggest the livestock were left unattended while the owner went drinking, raising doubts about whether it qualifies as theft.
“Stock theft not only robs farmers of their animals but also escalates into violent crimes involving firearms and even murder,” he said. “We are pleased to see signs of triumph, but this is a shared responsibility. We invite everyone to join policing forums to fight crime and protect community development.”
He announced plans to help residents establish policing committees, noting that anyone aged 16 and above can serve, according to the law. “If you neither prevent nor report crime, you are a criminal,” he warned, stressing the importance of collective vigilance.
This progress comes in the wake of an October 2024 public consultation in Tsoelike, Ha Matlali, where residents raised concerns about rising crime, including stock theft, and delays in police response times. . . .
Ends/MAPM
