NERPO COMMENDS MAFIKENG POLICE FOR THE ARREST OF THE STOCK THEFT MASTERMIND
18 Nov 2009
The Group Managing Director, Mr. Aggrey Mahanjana has given thumbs up to the Mafikeng Police department for having apprehended a butcher who has allegedly masterminded stock theft in that area.
“We are pleased to have learned that stock theft masterminds are being apprehended. Obviously, if our livestock is being stolen, somebody benefits from such criminal activities hence it is always important to not only arrest those who steal but those who buy stolen goods. NERPO wishes to congratulate the Mafikeng police department, the National Minister of the South African Police Service Mr. Nathi Mthethwa as well as the National Commissioner, Mr. Bheki Cele for the arrest and we hope that they continue rooting out and successfully convict more of these perpetrators who have robbed our industry approximately R365 million last year” he said
Mahanjana’s comments were triggered by the Daily Sun’s recent report on the apprehended butcher who also attempted to bribe the police but was in turn arrested and led the police to two other suspects.
“The organization has long been calling for government to instigate strict policies with which to closely monitor and regulate the abattoir industry including bush slaughtering and meat formal and informal meat traders. It will really not be surprising if further arrests can uncover that some within the value chain, be it formal or informal sector, are actually involved in this organized crime” Mahanjana argued, adding that he supports the views of Mr. Andre Botha, the chairman of AgriSA, who recently warned that “the prevalence of crime against farmers, particularly stock theft” puts food security at risk.
NERPO has been calling for government’s intervention on the national scourge of stock theft, seeking a rampant strategy that will see the Departments of Defence and Military Veterans, South African Police Service, Justice and Constitutional Development and Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, coming together in crafting and implementing stock theft prevention measures.
NERPO will this week, meet with the Secretary General of the ANC, Mr. Gwede Mantashe to discuss among other things the ANC’s political intervention in influencing government policy and programmes aimed at developing the emerging sector.
NERPO is the official mouthpiece of South Africa’s emerging livestock farmers and has successfully, lobbied government to create an enabling environment within which to commercialise its predominantly black members.
End.
Further enquiries can de directed to:
Aggrey Mahanjana
Group Managing Director – NERPO Group
Cell : +27 (0) 82 556 7297
Tel : +27 (0) 12 348 8566
Email : jennyb@nerpo.org.za
Web : www.nerpo.org.za
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