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The arrest followed months of investigation, and the case has been linked to others in Standerton, Perdekop, and Greylingstad areas, the Standerton SAPS told Farmer’s Weekly. However, no further details were provided.
TLU SA said the involvement of a police officer in this type of crime undermined their trust in the very units tasked with protecting rural communities.
Union President Henry Geldenhuys said the arrest showed that no one was above the law. “We welcome the arrest and support the petition to oppose bail for this suspect,” he said in a statement.
Geldenhuys praised Warrant Officer Hennie Koch, the investigating officer, for his continued hard work during the investigation.
“Farmers like Celia Beukes from the Chrissiesmeer district, who participate in investigative work and [provide Kock with information], also play an indispensable role. This collaboration between dedicated farmers and honest police members not only produces results but also helps give communities a much-needed boost to their trust in the police,” he added.
AfriForum also welcomed the arrest but warned of the damage caused by police involvement in crime.
Hennie Bekker, AfriForum’s district coordinator for the Highveld, said the alleged involvement of a police member in stock theft was worrying. “The [SAPS] member was supposed to investigate stock theft in the area but apparently abused his position to obtain information to enrich himself in the process.”
He added that SAPS statistics showed that over 53 600 cattle stolen were stolen across South African during the 2024/25 financial year.
“This crime puts farmers under serious pressure, forcing them to incur additional expenses to protect their livestock. Hiring private security and installing security cameras are some of the ways in which farmers are trying to protect their farms and livestock,” Bekker said.
“We are grateful to every police member who persists in their task of combating crime. Co-operation between the SAPS and initiatives by civil society, such as AfriForum’s farm and neighbourhood watches, is essential in the fight against crime, and we will not give up,” he added.
The police officer in question appeared in court on Monday, 1 September. However, Farmer’s Weekly is currently unaware of the outcome of his appearance.
