Lobamba– The government of Eswatini is moving to repeal the country’s 44-year-old Stock Theft Act and replace it with new legislation aimed at tackling organised livestock crime, following concerns that the existing law is no longer effective against increasingly sophisticated stock theft syndicates.
Minister of Agriculture Mandla Tshawuka revealed in Parliament on Tuesday that the proposed Stock Theft Bill is currently being scrutinised by the Ministry of Justice and Constitutional Affairs before it is tabled for debate.
“The current law is old and does not adequately protect our farmers. The new Bill is now with the Ministry of Justice and Constitutional Affairs, and it will be brought before Parliament,” Tshawuka told legislators during debate on the Ministry of Agriculture’s First Quarter Performance Report.
The proposed law comes amid mounting losses suffered by livestock owners, with government figures showing that stock worth more than E20.5 million was stolen during one reporting period, while animals valued at over E17.5 million were never recovered.
According to the statistics, cattle remain the primary target for thieves, with more than 11,600 head reported stolen. Goats have also been heavily affected, with over 22,300 reported stolen.
The Minister said the existing Stock Theft Act of 1982 no longer reflects the realities of modern livestock crime, which has evolved from isolated incidents into organised criminal operations.
Authorities believe many theft cases are linked to cross-border syndicates that move stolen livestock into neighbouring South Africa and Mozambique, making recovery difficult and reducing the chances of farmers recovering their animals.
The new Bill is expected to strengthen the legal framework governing livestock theft by enhancing investigations, improving prosecution of offenders and introducing stronger measures to deter organised criminal networks.
The current law criminalises the unlawful possession of livestock without proof of ownership, selling animals without proper documentation and slaughtering livestock without the required permits. It also provides for imprisonment and compensation to livestock owners.
However, government believes those provisions are no longer sufficient to deal with the methods used by modern stock theft syndicates.
Livestock production remains one of the country’s key agricultural activities, with thousands of households depending on cattle, goats and sheep for income, food security and cultural purposes.
For many rural families, livestock also serves as a form of savings, financing school fees, medical expenses and other household needs. Officials believe strengthening the law will improve confidence among farmers and encourage further investment in livestock production.
Once cleared by the Ministry of Justice and Constitutional Affairs, the Bill will be introduced in Parliament for consideration. If passed, it will replace legislation that has governed stock theft offences in Eswatini for more than four decades.
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