Livestock owner uncovers massive theft after spotting his own cattle at Polokwane auction
A 75-year-old livestock owner from Moletji Ga-Selepe Village in Limpopo has been left reeling after discovering that cattle valued at an estimated R239 000 were stolen from his herd, police have confirmed.
The incident came to light on Tuesday, 17 March 2026, when the elderly man attended a livestock auction in Polokwane and recognised two of his own cattle among the animals up for sale. He immediately raised the matter with auction officials, who facilitated the return of the two beasts to their rightful owner.
However, the ordeal was far from over. Upon arriving back at his homestead in Ga-Selepe, which falls under the Seshego policing precinct, the complainant carried out a thorough check of his remaining livestock and made a devastating discovery — a significant number of his animals were unaccounted for.
Scale of the theft revealed
The missing cattle include eight red cows, nine black and white cows, two bull calves, and five heifers — bringing the total number of stolen animals to 24. The combined value of the missing livestock has been placed at R239 000.
"The stolen livestock includes eight red herd of cows, nine black and white herd of cows, as well as two bull calves and five heifers."
Detectives attached to the Polokwane Stock Theft Unit have since opened a case of stock theft and launched an investigation into the matter. Authorities are working to establish the circumstances surrounding the disappearance of the animals and to identify those responsible.
Stock theft remains a persistent challenge in rural communities across Limpopo, with livestock owners frequently falling victim to organised syndicates targeting cattle, goats, and sheep. The crime carries heavy economic consequences for subsistence and emerging farmers who depend on their herds for their livelihoods.
Police have urged anyone with information that could assist in the investigation to come forward. The case remains under active investigation.
Stock theft continues to devastate rural farming communities across Limpopo, where livestock often represents a family's primary source of wealth and economic security. For elderly and emerging farmers, losses of this magnitude can be financially crippling, undermining food security and generational livelihoods built over decades. The involvement of the Polokwane Stock Theft Unit signals ongoing law enforcement efforts, though recovery of stolen cattle remains difficult once animals enter informal trade networks or are moved across provincial borders.
