PROJECT: REBUILDING TRUST - POLICE-LINKED STOCK THEFT IN SOUTH AFRICA
- Isabel Spies
- Oct 14
- 4 min read
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Stock theft has long plagued South Africa’s rural heartlands, threatening food security, destabilising farm economies, and undermining livelihoods. But in recent years, a troubling dual narrative has emerged: while dedicated South African Police Service (SAPS) officers and farming communities fight tirelessly to stem the tide, reports of police complicity in organised theft networks continue to surface.
Farmers, particularly in the Free State, have raised concerns about suspicious patterns of behaviour from delayed investigations to unexplained police presence at theft scenes. Allegations have even surfaced of threats to witnesses intended to silence testimony. These suspicions are compounded by broader questions of accountability within the SAPS, such as recurring scandals over stolen firearms and the misuse of covert funds.
Alongside the mistrust, there are clear signs of progress. Earlier this year, a major multi-district operation across Alfred Nzo, Joe Gqabi,
and OR Tambo led to the recovery of 208 stolen cattle worth nearly R2.8 million, along with other livestock and illegal firearms.
In another coordinated action near Lady Grey and Aliwal North, police arrested suspects and recovered livestock valued at R120,000.
In August, two men were arrested in OR Tambo District for stock theft and firearm possession.
The SAPS has also ramped up public engagement. Outreach campaigns in Limpopo, involving FarmWatch groups and traditional authorities,
aim to equip communities with knowledge on branding, reporting mechanisms, and collaboration with law enforcement.
In March, Police Minister Senzo Mchunu met with farming leaders, Stock Theft Unit commanders, and provincial officials in Bloemfontein to address the crisis. While acknowledging concerns about corruption, he pledged firmer accountability and stronger partnerships.
This mix of progress and persistent suspicion lies at the heart of a new initiative titled:
"Rebuilding Trust: Combating Police-Linked Stock Theft in South Africa."
The project seeks to raise awareness of the risks posed by corrupt officers and the promising results delivered by committed officers.
Its goals are to promote transparency, foster dialogue between farmers and police, and rebuild the confidence of rural communities in law enforcement.
The six-month pilot programme includes publishing a research brief on police-linked stock theft cases, creating infographics and radio spots on prevention and reporting, and holding community workshops in hotspot regions.
It also aims to facilitate regular dialogues between SAPS, civil society, and policymakers, while monitoring shifts in trust levels and accountability measures.
For many farmers, the stakes are existential. Stock theft is an economic crime and a direct assault on rural security and stability. By balancing exposure of misconduct with recognition of genuine policing successes, advocates believe it is possible to hold wrongdoers accountable AND empower honest officers who remain dedicated to the fight.
As the campaign rolls out, one fact is clear: South Africa cannot afford a police service distrusted by those it is intended to protect. Rebuilding that trust through transparency, accountability, and partnership may prove
as vital as recovering a stolen herd.
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