LIVESTOCK THEFT FORUMS

Responding to rampant livestock theft, which also affects dairy farmers, the organised agricultural community, in collaboration with the criminal justice system, in 1995, established the National Stock Theft Prevention Forum (NSTPF), ensuring cooperation between the role-players in the networks, which is an effective way in preventing crime.

The NSTPF comprise role-players within the red meat value chain, criminal justice system, and related NGOs. The overall purpose of the NSTPF is to be a representative structure in the battle against livestock theft and prevent livestock theft, specifically, by ensuring compliance with legislation and ensure the apprehension of those within the red meat value chain who do not comply with legislation. The NSTPF as a formal social network meets twice per year.

The activities of the role-players are provincial and called Provincial Stock Theft Prevention Forums (PSTPF) functioning according to the same rules as the NSTPF. The PSTPF are represented on the NSTPF and regarded as a more formal social networks in the prevention of livestock theft in South Africa, involving government structures. The PSTPF upon requests from local livestock owners, establish Stock Theft and Endangered Species Information Centres (STIC), which serve as a forum between the local livestock owners, the Stock Theft and Endangered Species Units, and other interested organisations. The motivation for establishing STIC is for livestock owners to become involved in livestock theft prevention by gathering information about stock theft, suspects, problem areas, and crime trends in their areas.

The general aims are further extended to prevent livestock theft, utilising constant liaison and developing operational livestock prevention plans and combined patrols between role-players. Continuous liaison with prosecuting authority to identify any inadequacies in all aspects of livestock theft cases ensures proper trials.

For any information, please contact the provincial RPO offices.

Willie Clack

Chairman

National Stock theft Prevention Forum