ATM urges Ramaphosa to set up Eastern Cape stock theft task team amid corruption allegations

The African Transformation Movement (ATM) has urged President Cyril Ramaphosa to establish an Eastern Cape Provincial Stock Theft and Rural Crime Task Team, saying organised livestock crime, cross-border smuggling and alleged police interference are threatening rural communities and farmers.

Party leader raises concerns after province-wide engagements

ATM parliamentary leader Vuyo Zungula made the request in a letter to President Ramaphosa and Acting Minister of Police Firoz Cachalia on Tuesday, following engagements with communities, farmers, livestock owners, business formations and traditional stakeholders across the province.

Zungula said the engagements had raised concerns about widespread stock theft, organised livestock syndicates and allegations that some police officers, municipal officials, livestock traders and other individuals may be facilitating or protecting criminal networks.

“Stock theft has become one of the most serious threats to rural livelihoods, food security and agricultural development in the Eastern Cape,” Zungula said.

Statistics and patterns cited by the ATM

The ATM said official SAPS statistics recorded about 1,500 stock theft cases in the Eastern Cape between January and March 2026, representing about 29% of all reported cases nationally during that period. The party said the province had the highest burden of reported stock theft in the country, listing specific localities and case numbers: Bhityi 111, Qumbu 110, Tsolo 94, Mthatha 49 and Thina Falls 45 for the same period.

Zungula pointed to livestock recoveries in the OR Tambo, Chris Hani and Joe Gqabi districts as evidence that thefts involved organised networks capable of moving animals across municipal, district and international borders. He also said many incidents were no longer being reported because of fears of retaliation, delays in police response and allegations that some local police structures had been compromised.

“During the ATM’s community engagements, livestock owners indicated that many incidents are no longer reported,” Zungula said.

Allegations of interference and cross-border smuggling

The ATM described allegations against some police officers that included delaying the registration of cases, warning suspects about planned operations, interfering with investigations, mishandling evidence and protecting individuals linked to livestock syndicates, and said

“These allegations must be independently investigated,”

Zungula said.

The party raised concerns about stolen livestock being moved across the border into Lesotho, particularly from the Joe Gqabi District, where syndicates allegedly use remote routes to transport cattle, sheep, goats and horses. It said stolen animals could be rebranded, sold or returned to South Africa using altered identification and fraudulent documentation, allowing them to enter legitimate markets.

Proposed task team, remit and reporting channels

The ATM proposed a task team modelled on the Political Killings Task Team, saying that structure showed the value of a dedicated, multidisciplinary body capable of operating across jurisdictions, reviewing unresolved cases and combining specialised investigative, intelligence and prosecutorial capacity.

“Stock theft in the Eastern Cape now requires the same level of intervention because it involves organised syndicates, crosses municipal, district and international boundaries, particularly into Lesotho, and may be facilitated by corruption or interference within local institutions,”

Zungula said.

The party called for the task team to include Crime Intelligence, the Hawks, the National Prosecuting Authority, the Border Management Authority, the South African National Defence Force, veterinary services and agricultural authorities. It said the structure should operate outside the command of police stations implicated in complaints and be empowered to take over serious cases, reopen unresolved or closed dockets, investigate alleged corruption and target the wider livestock theft network, including thieves, transporters and traders.

The ATM also called for a confidential reporting mechanism for farmers, farm workers, traditional leaders and community members who fear approaching local police structures. Zungula said allegations involving police officers should be referred to the Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID), while matters involving organised crime, corruption, money laundering and cross-border smuggling should be handled by the Hawks.

State role and next steps

Emphasising the broader impact of livestock theft, Zungula said:

“Stock theft is not simply a property crime. Livestock pays school fees, sustains households, supports traditional ceremonies, creates employment and serves as a store of wealth for many rural families,”

and the ATM said it would facilitate submission of information gathered during its community engagements, including written statements and supporting records from affected individuals.

“Communities cannot be expected to confront organised stock theft syndicates alone. The state must demonstrate that no police officer, municipal official, trader, transporter or criminal syndicate is beyond investigation,” Zungula said.