South African police caught three men who smuggled 88 goats from Zimbabwe across the Limpopo River. Authorities arrested the suspects Tuesday during a joint operation with Zimbabwean security forces in Limpopo Province. Officers seized a white Isuzu pickup truck with a trailer full of goats worth about R470,000. Police acted on tips about a suspicious vehicle carrying goats believed stolen from Zimbabwe. The suspects failed to show any papers proving they owned the animals.
The three men face charges of possessing suspected stolen property at the Thohoyandou court. Villages near the Limpopo River suffer from livestock theft rings that take advantage of the open border areas. Criminal groups often move animals at night to avoid detection. Last December, South African authorities recovered 105 stolen goats after chasing suspected smugglers. In August 2022, Zimbabwe police arrested two men trying to float 70 goats across the river on a wooden raft.
Both countries stepped up border security through shared patrols. Farmers created neighborhood watch groups to track animal movement near borders. Livestock theft happens all over Zimbabwe, with thieves targeting border areas. Police report between 5,000 to 10,000 cases each year nationwide. The Anti-Stock Theft Unit runs community programs to fight these crimes that harm farming families.
The three men face charges of possessing suspected stolen property at the Thohoyandou court. Villages near the Limpopo River suffer from livestock theft rings that take advantage of the open border areas. Criminal groups often move animals at night to avoid detection. Last December, South African authorities recovered 105 stolen goats after chasing suspected smugglers. In August 2022, Zimbabwe police arrested two men trying to float 70 goats across the river on a wooden raft.
Both countries stepped up border security through shared patrols. Farmers created neighborhood watch groups to track animal movement near borders. Livestock theft happens all over Zimbabwe, with thieves targeting border areas. Police report between 5,000 to 10,000 cases each year nationwide. The Anti-Stock Theft Unit runs community programs to fight these crimes that harm farming families.
