Durban - A Mid-Illovo stock theft syndicate had been using a bakkie that was stolen in Durban North.
Colonel Thembeka Mbele, a KwaZulu-Natal police spokesperson, said the Pietermaritzburg Stock Theft unit, Mid Illovo police together with a private security company embarked in an operation at Mid-Illovo area searching for the stock thieves.
"The team spotted a vehicle on the R603 Umbumbulu Road. When the occupants of the vehicle saw the police they abandoned the vehicle and fled into the nearby bushes. Inside the vehicle three slaughtered cattle were found," she said.
Mbele said a preliminary investigation was conducted at the scene and it revealed that the vehicle was stolen in Durban North in October 2018. Mbele said the suspects are still being sought by police.
Police had also arrested a 38-year-old man after he was found in possession of plastic bags of dagga concealed in the vehicle.
"Three other men were arrested for possession of a protected species after he was found in possession of a warthog and three bushbucks in a vehicle. A hunting rifle was also found in suspect’s possession," Mbele added.