Online Reporter
Mthokozisi Ncube
A yellow cattle ear tag bearing an owner’s cellphone number, found 18 days later, is the only clue found after five cattle worth US$2 150 mysteriously vanished from a farm in Umguza.
The cattle disappeared on 6 September after a herd of 38 split into two groups while being herded at Woodville Farm.
Police said the owner only reported the matter on 24 September after a neighbour called him to say he had found one of the missing cattle’s yellow tags.
A 21-year-old herd boy was reportedly herding the cattle at around 4pm when the herd split into 13 and 25.
At around 5pm, the herd boy allegedly left the group of 13 cattle and went to combine it with the other 25.
But when he returned, he discovered that the five cattle were missing.
The cattle had yellow tags bearing the owner’s cellphone number.
The herd boy searched for the missing cattle but could not find them before informing the owner.
The owner later received the call from his neighbour, who had found one of the yellow tags.
The matter was subsequently reported to the police.
The five cattle, valued at US$2 150, have not been recovered.
