Fence cuts stock theft

2005-04-07 14:07

Craig Bishop

Bellview - A KwaZulu-Natal farming community has more than halved stock theft in their area and increased stock recovery rates by 90% by fencing off their farms along the Lesotho border.

Some 20 farmers from the Swartberg Stock theft Prevention Association erected, at their own cost, a 20km razor-wire fence that stretches from the Bellview police station, north of Rama's Gate above Matatiele, to Sehlabathebe National Park above Bushman's Neck.

"Stock farming is once again viable," said association chair Chris Coghlan. "Before the fence was put up, stock losses made it impossible."

Association members patrol the fence at dawn and dusk each day, quickly picking up any breaks in the fence and recovering the animals by following their spoor.

The funds for the fence came from the association's annual R450 000 budget and additional funds were raised from the annual Swartberg fly-fishing tournament and from tourism expenditure along the Thule Rustlers Route.

Stock theft, primarily of cattle, horses and sheep, has now decreased by almost 60%.

Monetary losses have dropped from over R128 000 in 2003 to R73 550 last year.

Of the 667 sheep stolen last year, all but 17 were recovered.

Stock valued at over R460 000, either from tribal herds or the emerging farming sector in the Insekeni and Umzimkulu catchment areas, was returned to the owners.

The owners are not charged for the recovery of their stock and the association has gained new members from the emerging farming community, said Coghlan.

- African Eye