Goat Thief Arrested For Lying To Police, To Appear In Court

Three suspects aged between 24 and 34 are expected to appear before the Nebo Magistrate's Court, South Africa tomorrow over charges of perjury and stock theft after being arrested for goat theft and lying to the police for cover.

Three males were allegedly discovered offloading suspected stolen goats in Diphagane, and their car was set on fire by community residents.

They were able to flee the enraged crowd.

For insurance purposes, the driver allegedly proceeded to get his girlfriend and got her to serve as a witness while saying that their vehicle was touched due to a hijacking incident.

"The driver of the ‘hijacked’ Ford bakkie then went to the police station, joined by a female companion, and reported to the police that he was with the woman when three armed men driving in a VW Polo hijacked his motor vehicle at GaPhaahla Village.

"A case of carjacking was then opened but upon further questioning, it was established that the man made a false statement and that the alleged hijacked vehicle was set alight by angry community members.

"The vehicle was set on fire at Diphagane Village after the suspect and his three accomplices were caught offloading goats that were stolen at GaPhaahla Village earlier on," Limpopo police spokesperson Brigadier Motlafela Mojapelo said in a statement on Sunday. 

"After intensive investigation, the other suspect was arrested at his homestead in GaPhaahla and all the 11 stolen goats were recovered. 

"The lawful owner was also successfully located", he added.