Upington detective nabs stock thief, recovers sheep valued at R59k

THE NORTHERN Cape SAPS management has praised the recent investigation led by Detective Warrant Officer Jacques Ockhuys from the Upington Stock Theft and Endangered Species unit. The investigation resulted in a significant sentence for 35-year-old Elcardo Vilander, who was found guilty of stock theft by the Upington Regional Court.

Provincial police spokesperson Sergeant Omphile Masegela reported that Vilander was caught transporting 30 sheep valued at R59,400 from Horseback, near Philandersbron, in September 2020. During a preliminary investigation, the Rietfontein SAPS discovered that the sheep had been stolen from a farm near Hakskeenpan.

The police confiscated the stolen sheep and arrested Vilander, who was unable to provide a reasonable explanation for his possession of them. The owner of the sheep was notified and confirmed the animals as his property by identifying the registered tattoo marks on their ears. The sheep were subsequently returned to their rightful owner.

Vilander was found guilty on a charge of stock theft and sentenced to six years direct imprisonment, with two years suspended for a period of five years.