ByKopano Dibakwane
Twelve cows were reportedly stolen and slaughtered in two separate occasions in Leslie, leading to the swift arrest of four foreign nationals and one South African male, aged between 18 and 30, in connection with the alleged stock theft on Wednesday 15 October 2025.
The police reportedly responded to a tip-off and quickly rushed to one of the crime scenes where 7 carcasses of slaughtered cows, with an estimated value of R250 000, were discovered.
Speaking for the police in Mpumalanga, Captain Mpho Nonyane-Mpe said further information provided through intelligence, led the police to a suspicious vehicle, a brown VW Amarok with Gauteng registration number plates.
“ The vehicle, with one occupant, was spotted during stop and search operations. Upon inspection of the car, meat was found inside. Additional information led officers to another place, where 5 more carcasses of slaughtered cattle, to an estimated value of about R175.000, were found inside a kraal,” said Captain Nonyane-Mpe.
Four suspects were reportedly arrested at the scene, while two others fled, leaving the alleged getaway car behind.
The Acting Provincial Police Commissioner in Mpumalanga, Major General (Dr) Zeph Mkhwanazi, commended the swift arrests.
The General urged livestock owners to brand-mark their stock for easy recovery and investigation purposes.
The suspects will reportedly appear before the Leslie Magistrate’s Court on Friday 17 October 2025 to face the said charges.
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