KZN farmers’ livelihoods impacted by stock theft

Livestock farmers in northern KwaZulu-Natal say persistent stock theft is threatening their livelihoods.

Commercial and subsistence farmers raised their concerns during a meeting with Premier Thami Ntuli and senior South African Police Service (SAPS) officials in Vryheid on Wednesday.

Farmers cited stock theft , farm attacks and a lack of police resources, and also expressed frustration over what they describe as lenient penalties for offenders.

KwaZulu-Natal Premier Thamsanqa Ntuli has called for decisive action against stock theft https://t.co/dQvcIOHc1z #ArriveAlive #StockTheft #RuralSafety @kzngov @SAPoliceService https://t.co/92B7N5vqV5 — Arrive Alive (@_ArriveAlive) October 14, 2026 Vryheid farmer Jaco Duminy called for tougher action against criminals committing stock theft.

“The problem is partly a member problem.

I grew up in Vryheid and started farming in the early 90s.

The Vryheid unit had more than 40 persons, but how many do we have today? The second thing is vehicles.

We don’t have enough vehicles to attend all the cases,” says Duminy.

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