Minister John Steenhuisen commends efforts in combating stock theft
Today, the Minister of Agriculture, John Steenhuisen praised the Delmas Valke and AfriForum for its contributions to fighting stock theft, a crime that affects farmers across the country.
"Stock theft is a big threat to our agricultural community. Despite facing droughts and other tough conditions, our farmers work tirelessly to contribute to our economy, create on-farm jobs and sustain our rural areas,” the minister said.
AfriForum's new stock theft training module has already shown results, with AfriForum's Delmas Hawks neighbourhood watch members seizing 64 stolen cattle worth R960 000 in two operations.
The minister emphasised that collaborations between organisations like AfriForum and the South African Police Service (SAPS) are key in the fight against these crimes.
“These collaborative efforts are invaluable in keeping our farmers able to continue their work," he said.
He also called for a stronger police presence in rural areas to keep property and people safe and victims confident to report these crimes. Experts estimate that only about 30% of stock theft incidents are reported because of the perception that the SAPS do not care or that it is just a time-wasting exercise.
In the past financial year, 190 000 head of livestock, including 80 600 sheep, 55 700 goats and 53 600 cattle were reported stolen to SAPS in 25 606 complaints. AfriForum's calculations show that stock theft cost the agricultural industry at least R200 million in direct losses in the fourth quarter of 2024/2025 (January to March 2025) and R880 million in direct losses for cattle, sheep and goats from April 2024 to March 2025.
Stock theft is a serious threat to food security in the country as when livestock are stolen, it results in a decrease in the supply of meat, milk and other animal products. Addressing this crime should be a collective responsibility.
For media enquiries, please contact: Ms Joylene van Wyk Director: Media Liaison Ministry Cell: 083 292 7399 Email: Joylenev@nda.gov.za
AfriForum's Delmas Valke neighbourhood watch once again demonstrated its commitment to the community last month by securing the area against criminals. This neighbourhood watch not only arrested numerous suspects throughout the month, but also recovered several vehicles that had been stolen in the area and even provided assistance after a shooting incident in the area.
This neighbourhood watch responded to several burglaries throughout the month and a shooting during which one person sustained minor injuries. The neighbourhood watch also arrested three suspects in separate incidents and handed them over to the South African Police Service (SAPS). A total of four cars that were stolen during the month were also recovered with the help of the neighbourhood watch.
The neighbourhood watch also focused on securing the N12 for a large part of the month and tackling the iron pin traps that are regularly set on this highway. Six incidents were reported on one evening where vehicles hit iron pins or stones on this highway. Even the SAPS vehicle hit a stone and sustained damage. The neighbourhood watch assisted several motorists who were passing by and even spotted and chased two of the suspected perpetrators. However, the two suspects evaded arrest..
AfriForum se Delmas Valke-buurtwag het in samewerking met die SAPD en ander veiligheidsinstansies verskeie suksesse in die stryd teen misdaad behaal.
Gedurende Januarie was veiligheid in dié gebied opgeskerp, wat tot die inhegtenisneming van 15 vermeende misdadigers gelei heVolgens ’n mediaverklaring wat AfriForum op 4 Februarie uitgereik het, het die Valke-buurtwag talle inhegtenisnemings wat verband hou met diefstal, kaping en vandalisme gemaak
Hiermee saam het die buurtwag gehelp om op meer as 50 kratte alkohol beslag te lê. Drie voertuie, waaronder ’n vragmotor wat gekaap is, is ook in hierdie tyd teruggevind.
A public safety alert warns motorists not to pick up hitchhikers along the N12, R50, R42, R555 and the R580. Photo: Streeknews Stock
AfriForum’s Delmas Valke Neighbourhood Watch issued an urgent warning for motorists not to stop for or engage with hitchhikers.
According to the organisation, there have been multiple confirmed incidents of motorists robbed, kidnapped and hijacked after stopping to offer lifts to people posing as stranded pedestrians.
The culprits seem to vary and can be groups of males or a lone female. The incidents happen on the N12, the R50, the R42, the R555 and the R580.
The organisation urges people to immediately report suspicious persons or groups on these routes to the police..
The Middelburg Flying Squad vehicle that was left stranded after hitting a rock on the N12. Photo: Supplied.
Six vehicles were victims of highway spiking gangs last night on the N12 near Delmas in both directions. The Middelburg Flying Squad, AfriForum’s Delmas Valke Proto Team, and Delmas SAPS had a challenging night securing the N12 and assisting robbery victims caught in the bandits’ reign of terror.
Gino Sansovini, a member of the Valke Proto Team, told the Middelburg Observerthat his team of voluntary community watchmen conducted proactive patrols of the N12 after suspecting a night of criminal activity. They encountered a family of four, including a three-year-old child, stranded near the R42 – N12 off-ramp at 20:20.
The family had driven over a pile of rocks and had been robbed of their bank cards, cellphones, jewellery, and shoes. As the Valke members stopped to assist, they were joined by the Middelburg Flying Squad. “We asked the father if he could recall his Gmail login, and managed to trace one of the stolen cellphones to the Total Filling Station One Stop near eMalahleni,” Sansovini explains.
The Valke members and the Flying Squad hurried to the One Stop in hopes of apprehending the suspects, but the CCTV operator informed them that the suspects, travelling in a white Toyota Corolla, had just left in the direction of eMalahleni.
In their pursuit, the members encountered two more stranded vehicles, approximately 3km from the One Stop, on both sides of the highway. “We did not see the rocks and continued our pursuit when the Middelburg Flying Squad vehicle also struck a rock, forcing us to stop. We requested backup from the Delmas Police Station, secured the area, and assisted the other victims. When the Flying Squad vehicle was finally loaded onto a flatbed, we discovered another two stranded vehicles, bringing the total to five.”
Sansovini notes that after setting off again, yet another motorist fell victim as a bakkie struck a large pile of rocks nearby. As the Valke approached to assist, two suspects emerged from the bushes and attempted to rob the bakkie’s occupants. However, they fled on foot upon seeing the members. “We chased after them but lost their trail in the thick vegetation, allowing them to evade capture.”
Sansovini states that, of the six vehicles affected, no cases were reported to the SAPS, which means the police cannot investigate the incidents or maintain accurate statistics. He warns motorists of an increase in spiking incidents along the N12 after dark and urges vigilance.
A public safety alert warns motorists not to pick up hitchhikers along the N12, R50, R42, R555 and the R580. Photo: Streeknews Stock
AfriForum’s Delmas Valke Neighbourhood Watch issued an urgent warning for motorists not to stop for or engage with hitchhikers.
According to the organisation, there have been multiple confirmed incidents of motorists robbed, kidnapped and hijacked after stopping to offer lifts to people posing as stranded pedestrians.
The culprits seem to vary and can be groups of males or a lone female. The incidents happen on the N12, the R50, the R42, the R555 and the R580.
The organisation urges people to immediately report suspicious persons or groups on these routes to the police..
By following these principles, members commit to upholding the values, reputation, and operational effectiveness of the Delmas Valke Buurtwag, while actively contributing to the safety, unity, and well-being of the community. Changes to this Valke Code of Conduct are effective when they are posted on this page.
