Farm Manager Jailed For Selling Stolen Livestock At Auction
A farm manager, Arno Kotze, has been sentenced to five years in prison by the Thabazimbi magistrate’s court for stealing cattle from his employer and selling them at auction.
Kotze’s illicit activities were exposed when the money from the auction was traced back to his bank account.
The incident occurred between June 1-7, 2022, when 13 Bonsmara cattle were stolen from Belgie Farm in Dwaalboom, where Kotze served as the farm manager.
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The owner became suspicious after being alerted by an employee about a truck loading livestock, leading to a police investigation.
Kotze had sold the stolen cattle at the Vleissentraal auction for R130,000, and evidence of the transaction was found in his bank account.
Although initially granted bail in January, Kotze went on the run, leading to a warrant for his arrest.
He was eventually rearrested in Groot Marico, North West, on November 24 and remained in custody until his conviction on December 11.