Poaching and stocktheft of cattle have become an alarming problem in Grahamstown. In Extension 6, the Mankayi family lost three cattle in less than two months to poachers.
Xoliswa and Thando Mankayi inherited 14 livestock from their late father last year. The family had planned to slaughter one of the cows for a traditional ceremony in December but those plans were in vain.
Poaching and stocktheft of cattle have become an alarming problem in Grahamstown. In Extension 6, the Mankayi family lost three cattle in less than two months to poachers.
Xoliswa and Thando Mankayi inherited 14 livestock from their late father last year. The family had planned to slaughter one of the cows for a traditional ceremony in December but those plans were in vain.
Thando, employee of Makana Municipality, said that “it is difficult when livestock goes missing” as this means he has to take time off work and search for his cattle, only to find them brutally slaughtered.
The poachers use wire snares to catch the animals and then slaughter them with hatchets and axes. Thando found the head and feet of the cattle. He also found tyre tracks of a 4×4 truck close by.
"It is crystal clear that the poachers are supplying someone who has an established business like a butchery," Thando claimed.
Last year Thando got a tipoff that one of his missing cows was seen in the Phumlani area, he called the police, they did not arrive so he took the matter into his own hands and retrieved it.
Gamepark targeted
Surrounding Grahamstown farms are also heavily at risk. Poachers have been targeting nature reserves such as Kwandwe Nature Reserve, 23km outside Grahamstown, using dry riverbeds to penetrate the highly secure reserve situated near the Great Fish River.
"Similar incidences occurred in places like Committees Drift, Manley Flats and other surrounding areas, and we are doing everything in our power to combat and hopefully eradicate this kind of crime," said Grahamstown police spokesperson Milanda Coetzer.
Coetzer confirmed that Fort Brown police have made two arrests when alleged poachers were busted at Kwandwe two weeks ago. The men were given fines for trespassing and should they fail to pay up, they will be arrested.
