The Station Commander of SAPS Bityi led his foot soldiers during an operation that resulted in the arrest of five suspects for stock theft while one of them was charged with possession of unlicensed firearm after a white bakkie that was transporting four cattle was intercepted on the gravel road outside Bityi yesterday.
It is alleged that on Monday, 30 October at about 15:00, the Station Commander received information about a truck that was in transit with suspected stolen cattle. Immediately, a team of members were activated to do a follow-up. Moments later, a white bakkie fitting the description with four cattle on a trailer was spotted on the gravel road towards N2, and was pulled off the road.
On questioning the two occupants, the driver (male) and a female passenger, alleged that the cattle were bought from three men in Ndibela Location, Bityi. Police investigation led them to a homestead in Ndibela Locality, where three other suspects, were pointed out as people who sold them the cattle. An unlicensed firearm (serial number filed off) and ammunition were also recovered. All five suspects were arrested and detained on charges of stock theft, of which one was also charged for possession of unlicensed firearm and ammunition.
The five suspects, aged between 21 and 40, are due to appear in the Bityi Magistrate’s Court today on charges ranging from stock theft to possession of unlicensed firearm and ammunition.
OR Tambo District Commissioner, Major General Phumzile Cetyana applauded members for their swift action in apprehending the suspects. “Stock theft is one of our priority crimes in the district, and we urge residents to continue to report suspicious actions”, concluded Maj Gen Cetyana.
The post Five nabbed for stock theft and possession of unlicensed firearm in Bityi appeared first on South Africa Today.