Police in the KwaZulu-Natal have arrested two suspects, aged 23 and 31, on charges of possessing property suspected to be stolen after recovering 21 head of livestock in separate operations, authorities said.
In a statement released Tuesday, Lieutenant Colonel Paul Magwaza of the South African Police Service in KwaZulu-Natal said the arrests followed operations conducted in the Hlabeni and Sdangeni areas on Thursday, Dec. 18, 2025, and Monday, Dec. 22, 2025.
“On Monday, 22 December 2025, police received information regarding stolen sheep at Sdangeni area,” Lt. Col. Magwaza said. “Members responded swiftly and recovered nine (9) sheep. A 23-year-old suspect was arrested and charged for possession of property suspected to be stolen.”
In a separate incident on Dec. 18, police intercepted a vehicle transporting 10 sheep, according to the statement. The driver, identified as Qinisela Mnguni, 31, “failed to provide documentation permitting the transportation of livestock,” Lt. Col. Magwaza said. Mnguni was arrested and charged with possession of property suspected to be stolen.
“Further investigations revealed that Qinisela had exchanged two cows for four sheep,” the statement continued. “Upon further probing, police established that Qinisela did not own any cows. The cows involved in the exchange for sheep were also recovered as it was also suspected that they were stolen.”
Mnguni appeared in Hlanganani Magistrates Court on Friday, Dec. 19, 2025, and was remanded in custody, according to police. The 23-year-old suspect is scheduled to appear in court on Tuesday, Dec. 23, 2025.