By Willie Clack
Photos courtesy of various industry role-players
The previous article in this series, “When good laws are not enough: Livestock Theft Prevention Forums and the policy challenge,” considers why livestock theft remains a serious rural safety concern despite legislation, specialised policing structures and prevention forums. It argues that laws and policies have value only when they are known, implemented, enforced and translated into practical action.
This article develops that argument from a different angle: the brutality inflicted on animals during certain livestock theft incidents. This is not a new concern. More than a decade ago, the author called for action against the cruel manner in which animals were, in some cases, stolen and slaughtered (Clack, 2015). Recent reports from the Steynsrus area of the Free State, where some stolen sheep were reportedly found with their throats cut, show why the issue remains relevant. The matter remains under investigation, and no conclusion should be drawn before the evidence has been assessed. It nevertheless raises an important question: when animals suffer during stock theft, should the response address theft alone, or should possible animal-cruelty offences also be investigated?
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[This is only an extract of an article published in Servamus: October 2026. This article is available for purchase.]