Three men were arrested and 14 stolen Merino sheep, valued at approximately R49,900 ($2,700), were recovered in a coordinated operation by the South African Police Service (SAPS) and private security in the Free State province, authorities said.
The operation, which began on Thursday, July 17, 2025, at 10:00 AM, was launched following intelligence that a group of male suspects was targeting a farm in Edenburg for stock theft, according to Sergeant Mahlomola Kareli of the SAPS in Free State.
In the early hours of Friday, July 18, at approximately 4:30 AM, the operational team intercepted a white Mercedes-Benz panel van on the N6 near Reddersburg, heading toward Bloemfontein. A search of the vehicle uncovered the stolen livestock, Sergeant Kareli stated.
The three suspects, aged 39, 32, and 29, were arrested on charges of possession of suspected stolen sheep and stock theft. They are expected to appear in court soon, according to the police statement.