The South African National Defence Force deployed at the Qacha ‘s Nek border between South Africa and Lesotho are reported to have surrendered after they were allegedly shot at by suspected livestock thieves on Sunday evening. Mafube Masifunanisane organisation Chairperson, Manyarela Matlali told the Informer on Tuesday that” On the day of the incident, 15 soldiers surrounded umdiba (kraal) suspected of keeping stolen stock near Mafube location in Matatiele. While surrounding the kraal the soldiers were ambushed and shot at with a hail of bullets. It is at that point that the SANDF surrendered and left the area.” Matlali further added that this is not the first incident the livestock syndicate shoot at livestock owners who come closer to the kraal to retrieve their stolen livestock. “A week ago community farmers from Lesotho together with those from Matatiele tried to surround the same kraal, at close proximity they were shot at by the livestock thieves. The farmers opted to run for their lives because they were not armed; however, two of their horses they were riding were shot and killed. Following this ordeal, Matlali and members of his organisation, requested the SANDF to intervene.
However, the Sunday incident has left the community of cattle owners in dismay, as they had put their trust on the SANDF. Meanwhile, an elderly woman in Zwelitsha, Matatiele fears for her life as she gets phone call threats from the syndicate that they are going to take her livestock. According to Ntulikazi Mamtshali, this is the fourth attempt to steal her livestock” They first took 55 goats, they did not end there, they came back, took 8 more goats and later 20 cows. “For Mamtlali, while other people are sleeping, she sits on the chair up until at least 2 am” I no longer sleep, at 8 o’clock, I switch off my TV because I know they will arrive around at 9 0’clock.
I would hear dogs barking and I then switch on my lights and go out with the help my grandchildren, they start running.” This elderly’s nightmare has been happening for a while now with no concrete help from the SAPS members. Her neighbour, Mfana Jojo still recalls the day he was taken to hospital after a stray bullet hit him on his thigh” I first heard dogs barking, I peeped on the window when I saw what was happening. I was about to open a door, when a bullet came through the door and hit the wall, bounced and hit me.” This was the third time his livestock was taken.
