Two Mozambican nationals jailed for stock theft and animal cruelty in Giyani
Two Mozambican nationals, Robert Chauke, 33, and Silver Ndlovu, 49, have been sentenced to direct imprisonment by the Giyani Regional Court in Limpopo, for stock theft, animal cruelty, unlawful slaughtering, and contravening the Immigration Act.
The sentence was handed down on Friday, February 6, 2026, following their arrest for stock theft and related offences.
Limpopo police spokesperson Brigadier Hlulani Mashaba said the court heard that on December 22, 2023, SAPS Giyani officers were conducting routine patrols when they received information that the suspects were slaughtering animals near a dumping site in Giyani Section A.
“The police responded swiftly and upon arrival found the two suspects actively slaughtering meat. They were immediately arrested,” Mashaba said.
He added that the suspects disclosed the existence of additional meat that had already been slaughtered and stored at a local butchery in Giyani Section A.
Police followed up and recovered the meat.
“The owner of the butchery failed to provide a satisfactory explanation regarding the origin of the meat and was subsequently arrested along with two employees,” Mashaba said.
In total, five suspects were arrested in connection with the case.
The case docket was initially allocated to the late Warrant Officer Masenyani Nature Ngobeni, who passed away two weeks later.
However, it was subsequently reassigned to Provincial Stock Theft and Endangered Species (STES) Commander Colonel Jabu Elizabeth Mbete, who oversaw the investigation.
Mashaba said that during bail proceedings, the butchery owner and two employees were released on bail, while Chauke and Ndlovu were denied bail due to their undocumented status.
“During the trial, both convicted suspects pleaded guilty to all charges,” he said.
The court imposed the following sentences on each accused:
-Stock theft: 10 years’ imprisonment
-Cruelty to animals: Six months’ imprisonment
-Slaughtering an animal at a place other than an abattoir: One year’s imprisonment
– Contravention of the Immigration Act: 2 years’ imprisonment
Mashaba said the three remaining suspects, including the butchery owner, are expected to appear before the Giyani Magistrate’s Court on March 11, 2026.
Meanwhile, Limpopo provincial commissioner of police Lieutenant General Thembi Hadebe commended Colonel Mbete for her meticulous investigation and leadership.
simon.majadibodu@iol.co.za
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