BY NOMTHANDAZO MAYISELA (Intern)
MBABANE – Relief has returned to two farming families after police successfully recovered stolen cattle worth more than E150 000 in separate stock theft cases reported in the Mbabane policing precinct.
The cattle, which had disappeared from grazing fields in the Ekupheleni area, were later discovered hidden inside a mountain cave in Mayflower, Mpumalanga Province in South Africa following investigations led by the Royal Eswatini Police Service in collaboration with the South African Police Service and local farmers.
According to information shared by the Royal Eswatini Police Service, one farmer lost 15 herd of cattle valued at E93 000, while another farmer lost seven herd valued at E66 000. Both incidents were reported on May 14 after the animals disappeared from grazing land.
Police investigations were launched immediately, with officers pursuing several leads before tracing the stolen livestock across the border. Assistance from cattle farmers in Sigangeni and Ekupheleni also played a key role in the successful recovery operation.
Stock theft continues to worry many rural communities in Eswatini, particularly in areas located near the South African border where cross-border livestock theft syndicates are often suspected to operate. For many families, cattle are not only a source of income but also play an important role in farming activities, household survival and traditional ceremonies.
The successful recovery is likely to bring relief to farmers who often lose hope after stolen livestock is smuggled out of the country. In many cases, affected families are left under financial strain after losing animals that may have taken years to build.
Police have since urged livestock owners to avoid leaving animals unattended in grazing fields and to report stock theft cases immediately. Farmers were also encouraged to ensure that someone regularly monitors livestock to reduce the risk of theft.
The recovery operation further highlighted the growing importance of community cooperation and cross-border partnerships in combating organised rural crime and protecting livelihoods dependent on agriculture and livestock farming.
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