Cross-border beef bust: Upington police nab stock theft suspect

A 37-YEAR-old man was arrested at Twee Rivieren in connection with stock theft and the illegal transportation of meat from Botswana into South Africa.

Northern Cape police spokesperson Sergeant Omphile Masegela said that the suspect, Melvin Vilander, is accused of smuggling the meat of two cattle through the border fence near the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park on June 26. The transaction reportedly took place without any legal documentation or permits.

Acting on information received, members of the Upington Stock Theft and Endangered Species Unit traced the suspect and recovered the carcasses, valued at approximately R13,000. Vilander was unable to provide a valid explanation for being in possession of the meat.

Following a thorough investigation by Detective Warrant Officer Jacques Ockhuys, Vilander was formally charged and appeared in court. He was released on R1,000 bail and the case has been postponed for further investigation.

Authorities have reiterated the need for vigilance in preventing cross-border stock theft, which continues to impact farming communities in the Northern Cape.

Anyone with information about stock theft or related crimes is urged to contact their nearest police station or call the Crime Stop hotline at 08600 10111. Anonymous tip-offs can also be submitted via the MySAPS app. All information will be treated with the strictest confidentiality.