Farmers in the Leeuwkuil area just outside Polokwane have been the victims of crime no less than four times in the past four weeks yet the police do not seem prepared to do anything about it.

According to Mr Sagrys de Beer, who farms with his father, the latest spate of crime started on 25 December last year when around 11 of their sheep were stolen.

He said the farm’s perimeter fence as well as the kraal’s fence had been cut.

There were also clear footprints in the area. "We reported the matter to the police immediately and someone did come out to take a statement but to date, we are still waiting for someone to come and investigate.

"The tracks could probably have been followed.”On 30 December 2008, De Beer said, he came home to find six men loading furniture and kitchen equipment onto their bakkie.

When he demanded they put his possessions back, they refused. He blocked the exit road and called the police.

“This time the police’s response was fantastic! I counted 17 police vehicles and the police helicopter was also in the air.”

But after the police had spoken to the suspects, one of whom works on the farm, the police decided not to make any arrests because the suspects “had explained that it was a misunderstanding”.

After arguing for some time with the police, De Beer says only the man who works for him was arrested. This in spite of one From p1of the released suspects threatening De Beer by saying that they would be back.

“I don’t understand how the police could use so much manpower and then not follow through.”On 1 January more sheep were stolen and on 5 January one of the houses on the farm was broken into and cell phones and tinned food was stolen. The police did not attend either of the scenes.

Last Monday, De Beer’s children’s bicycles were stolen but the police did not bother to come out to the farm until De Beer eventually managed to get hold of an officer at 23:00.

Diesel and batteries are also stolen from their trucks constantly and their dogs have also been poisoned, he says.“We tried contacting our sector manager but he was away on leave.

"We then contacted the head of crime prevention but he did not react to our complaint. We also contacted the police station commissioner but he indicated that he was on leave.”

Polokwane police station spokesperson, Insp Lesiba Ramoshaba, said should this matter be reported in writing to the police station commissioner, it will be thoroughly investigated. - Karen Venter