Abstract
Livestock theft remains one of the most significant threats to South Africa’s agricultural sector, undermining rural livelihoods, food security, and economic sustainability. This study evaluates the effectiveness of the Livestock Theft Prevention Forums (LSTPFs), including the National Stock Theft Prevention Forum (NSTPF), Provincial Stock Theft Prevention Forums (PSTPFs), and local Stock Theft Information Centres (STICs), in addressing livestock theft through stakeholder collaboration, crime prevention, and policy influence. Using a mixed methods approach, the study combined quantitative survey data from 628 respondents with qualitative insights from farmers, agricultural organisations, law enforcement officials, and other stakeholders.
The findings indicate that while reported livestock theft cases have declined in recent years, financial losses continue to increase, reflecting a shift toward fewer but higher value theft incidents. Reporting rates to the South African Police Service have improved substantially, demonstrating increased awareness and trust in formal reporting mechanisms. However, recovery rates have remained largely stagnant, highlighting persistent challenges in investigation, prosecution, intelligence sharing, and inter provincial coordination. The study further found low levels of awareness and participation in local prevention forums, leadership ambiguity, inadequate training, limited visibility of forum activities, and insufficient integration of technology into prevention strategies.
Stakeholders consistently identified the need for stronger governance structures, improved communication, enhanced community participation, modernised legislation, and greater use of digital traceability and surveillance technologies. The report concludes that while the LSTPF framework provides an important platform for collaboration and rural crime prevention, its effectiveness is constrained by governance, operational, and coordination shortcomings. Strengthening leadership, improving accountability, modernising the legislative framework, enhancing investigative capacity, and increasing stakeholder engagement are critical to improving livestock theft prevention and strengthening rural resilience in South Africa.