'Zero tolerance' for cattle attacks

Minister proposes drones to help patrol rural areas.

- Marizka Coetzer

Minister of agriculture John Steenhuisen says zero tolerance is needed against stock theft following horrific scenes of stock theft and slaughter that shocked the community of Free State's Goldfields region.

There has been an outcry from the farming community following a video of slaughtered cattle this week in a third and latest gruesome incident, shortly after two other incidents last month.

Steenhuisen said an inter-agency approach was needed to send a strong message with harsh convictions for stock theft.

"This is a huge problem. We could be harnessing greater technological advancements around drone technology to assist in patrolling rural areas, particularly when stock theft takes place, to obtain footage that can lead to convictions," he said.