{
  "id": 4932928,
  "title": "Police hunt stock thief after costly sheep slaughter in Free State",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/01/police-hunt-stock-thief-after-costly-sheep-slaughter-in-free-state",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-09-01T20:33:39.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The Citizen",
    "slug": "the-citizen",
    "url": "https://www.citizen.co.za/news/south-africa/crime/police-hunt-stock-thief-after-costly-sheep-slaughter-in-free-state/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Police in South Africa's Free State region are searching for a stock thief who stole sheep valued at over R150,000 after they were discovered with their throats cut. The South African Police Service (Saps) disclosed that a case has been filed at the Steynsrus Police Station and is being handled by the Heilbron Stock Theft and Endangered Species Unit. A 54-year-old farmer from Somerset Oos Farm alerted the authorities on Saturday, August 29, about a discrepancy during a livestock count. According to his report, the previous day's count showed 186 sheep, including 85 South African Meat Merino ewes and 101 lambs. However, upon counting on Saturday, only 69 ewes and 72 lambs remained on the farm. This accounts for 45 sheep in total, comprising 16 ewes and 29 lambs. The combined worth of the missing sheep is estimated at R151,000. Some of the stolen sheep were allegedly found on the Steynsrus-Arlington gravel road, scattered and with their throats slit. The police have appealed for any information that could aid their investigation. They request anyone with pertinent information to contact Warrant Officer Henry Greeff at 082-627-7577 or submit the information anonymously through the MySAPS app or by calling the Saps Crime Stop line at 08600-10111.",
  "summary": "Investigators are appealing for information after missing sheep were discovered with their throats slit along a gravel road.",
  "key_points": [
    "Police search for thief who stole R150,000 worth of sheep in Free State.",
    "54-year-old farmer reported missing sheep on August 29.",
    "Stolen sheep found with throats slit on gravel road."
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}