GRAAFF-REINET NEWS - The Cluster Commander for Graaff-Reinet, Brigadier Rudolph Adolph, commended the outstanding efforts of SAPS members as they continue with their actions of ‘taking back the streets’ from criminals and gaining public confidence from the community they serve.

Part of the SAPS’ vigilant back-to-basics approach to policing by members of the Graaff-Reinet Cluster resulted in the arrest of a 34-year-old man for the possession of suspected stolen goods.  

Due to the swift action by members of SAPS Pearston yesterday morning, Thursday 14 June, 160kg of mohair to the value of R50 000 was recovered just before 03:00.  

Members from SAPS Pearston were busy conducting high visibility patrols on the Klipplaatberg Road, Pearston, when they noticed a suspicious white Toyota Corolla travelling on the road, with one male occupant inside the vehicle.   

When the driver of the Corolla spotted the police officials, he sped off in the direction of town.  Police members gave chase and the driver of the vehicle was successfully pulled off the road in Prince Street, Pearston.  

Officials acted promptly and discovered two bags containing mohair inside the vehicle.  The man was arrested and detained on a charge of possession of suspected stolen property. He is due to appear in the Pearston Magistrate’s Court today, Friday, 15 June. The vehicle was also impounded.  

Detectives are following up all possible leads to determine from where the mohair was stolen, and if the suspect could be linked to other related cases. 

Additional charges might be added once the investigations are concluded.  

The theft of mohair remains a concern for the Graaff-Reinet Cluster as South Africa’s world-famous mohair industry has been concentrated mainly in the Eastern Cape for more than 170 years, and the legendary fleece of the Angora goat is often called the “Diamond Fibre”.  

South Africa is the world’s premier supplier of mohair, in quality and quantity, and is one of only a few countries that produce fleece as well as value-added products such as yarn, clothing, blankets, throws and carpets.

The Graaff-Reinet Cluster Commander, Brigadier Rudolph Adolph, praised the officials. “The two members did a sterling job, and we believe that the arrest will serve as a deterrent to other would-be offenders”.  

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