Twenty-two merino sheep crammed into a minibus taxi were unwittingly taken on a high-speed chase with the police before being rescued in the Free State.
The flying squad in Bloemfontein got a tip-off in the early hours of Wednesday to look out for a white Toyota Quantum taxi allegedly transporting stolen livestock.
“The team operationalised the information from the Parkweg stock theft unit and rushed to the R702 between Dewetsdorp and Bloemfontein,” said police spokesperson Sgt Mahlomola Kareli on Thursday.
“The vehicle was spotted, and a high-speed chase ensued. The relentless flying squad members managed to block and stop the vehicle.
“Upon searching the vehicle, four suspects aged between 30 and 40 were arrested after 22 merino sheep were found stacked [inside].”
The sheep are worth about R52,000, according to SAPS.
The minibus were certified to carry 15 seated passengers.
The suspects will appear in the Dewetsdorp magistrate’s court soon for possession of suspected stolen livestock and theft of livestock.
TimesLIVE
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