Mpuma cop, son in court for stock theft

Johannesburg - A police officer and his son appeared in the Ermelo Magistrate's Court on Monday for allegedly stealing sheep from a local farm, Mpumalanga police said.

The case against Warrant Officer Themba Kuhlaze, 43, and his son Mxolisi Shabalala, 27, was postponed to 15 August for further investigation, Brigadier Selvy Mohlala said.

The warrant officer, who was stationed at the vehicle identification unit in Ermelo, and his son were arrested on Friday for allegedly stealing five sheep from Good Hope Farm in Ermelo.

"It was reported to police that there were people who have stolen sheep and were travelling in a silver Ford Ranger bakkie," said Mohlala.

Police spotted the men in the vehicle in the Ermelo CBD with the five sheep carcasses loaded on the back.

"[A] further probe uncovered that Kuhlaze had no authority to... use the vehicle which was identified as a police vehicle allocated to the vehicle identification unit in Ermelo," said Mohlala.

Kuhlaze would also undergo an internal police investigation and would also face an additional charge of using a motor vehicle without the owner's permission.