Kroonstad Highway Patrol officers have arrested three suspects, aged between 40 and 47, for the possession of suspected stolen livestock.
**Stop-and-Search Operation Leads to Arrests**
On the morning of Saturday, 8 February 2025, at approximately 06:15, Kroonstad Highway Patrol officers were conducting a routine stop-and-search operation along the N1 North, about 5 km from Kroonstad. During the operation, they stopped an Isuzu bakkie towing a trailer carrying four cattle.
## **Failure to Provide Documentation**
Upon questioning, officers requested documentation for the livestock from the three individuals. However, the suspects failed to produce any valid paperwork verifying ownership of the cattle. This raised suspicions, prompting the officers to conduct a further investigation.
## **Cattle Suspected to be Stolen**
Following preliminary inquiries, authorities discovered that the cattle were suspected to have been stolen from a farm in Steynsrus. This confirmed their suspicions, leading to the immediate arrest of the three suspects.
## **Legal Proceedings to Follow**
The trio is currently in custody and is expected to appear before the Kroonstad Magistrate’s Court soon to face charges related to the possession of suspected stolen livestock.
Law enforcement officials continue to encourage farmers and the public to report any suspicious activities involving livestock theft. The successful arrest highlights the effectiveness of ongoing highway patrol operations in curbing rural crime.