Four foreign nationals and a South African man, aged between 18 and 30, have been arrested in Leslie for their alleged involvement in a large stock theft case.
According to reports, a total of 12 cows were stolen and then slaughtered at two separate locations in the area. Police responded swiftly after receiving a tip-off and launched an operation.
At one of the scenes, officers discovered seven carcasses of slaughtered cattle, estimated to be worth around R250,000. Acting on further intelligence, police intercepted a brown VW Amarok with Gauteng registration plates during stop-and-search operations. Meat was found inside the vehicle, leading to the arrest of the driver.
Officers proceeded to a second location, where they found another five carcasses, valued at approximately R175,000, inside a kraal. Four suspects were detained on the scene, while two others managed to flee, abandoning the vehicle they were using.
The five suspects are expected to appear before the Leslie Magistrate’s Court on Friday, 17 October 2025.
Acting Provincial Commissioner of the SAPS in Mpumalanga, Major General (Dr) Zeph Mkhwanazi, urged livestock owners to ensure their animals are properly brand marked, as it greatly assists in recovery and investigations.
