Stock Theft: Rural Livestock Farmers' Entrepreneurial Perspectives

Abstract

The collation between stock theft and rural livestock farmers' entrepreneurial perspectives receive limited attention in the field of Criminology and Criminal Justice, as well as 'Business Administration' nor entrepreneurial dominance industry. Conventionally, stock theft is nothing new in South Africa, traditional interpretations and recorded cases can be reportedly traced back to 1806. This study reflects the duality of stock theft, offering criminological [Theoretical] explanations and glimpses of attractive business enterprises by adopting the three elements of 'Timmons Model of Entrepreneurial Process' through the use of non-empirical research design: Systematic review, while featuring the most affected areas by stock theft in the Eastern Cape (EC), KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) and Mpumalanga (MP) Provinces respectively, while focusing on 2014-2020 financial years. This study establishes provides that this crime, instead of making more business avenues for rural livestock farmers, will continue to decrease the number of job opportunities. It is recommended that the South African government (I.e. national, provincial and local levels), agricultural industries, and the local South African Police Service Stock Theft Units (SAPS STUs) as a collective and commodity organisations will have to gravely consider offering adequate services required to bring workable solutions for initiation of entrepreneurial activities in the selected provinces.

A systematic study on stock theft contributory factors during the South African lockdown

“…It is really frustrating that the thieves [Are often] known to the police and communities, but there is little they can do as the South African law wants the thief to be physically seen in action [While committing a crime]. According to Clack (2021) (in Pillips, 2021, stock theft during Level 5 of the national lockdown was about 80% lower than over the same period in recent years. As movement restrictions eased, it increased to the point that during Level 3 it was at an "unprecedented" level: about 15% above the average.…”

“…The affected Nine (09) South African provinces, are as follows: KwaZulu-Natal (KZN), Eastern Cape (EC), Free State (FS), North West (NW), Mpumalanga (MP), Limpopo (LIM), Northern Cape (NC), Gauteng (GP) and Western Cape (WC). Therefore, promoting agriculture is vital for addressing the issues of poverty in rural areas, low employment rate, insufficient food and natural resources' sustainability (Shiimi, 2009;and Sehar, 2018) (in Mabunda, Maluleke, Barkhuizen & Clack, 2021). A finding that was very captivating is that the analyses of livestock sector policies are fully in agreement that animal products demand has a tendency to increase with the growth of the population, particularly with the urbanisation that is rapidly growing (Kamuanga, et al 2008;Upton & Otte 2004;and Sehar, 2018) (in Mabunda, et al 2021).…”

“…Consequently, the rise of demand for animal products maybe in line with the augmentation in the consumption of protein, specifically in countries that are developing, plus a bigger public health awareness in developed countries which lay a foundation to promote marketing opportunities (Horsthemke, 2009;Bahta & Bauer, 2007;and Sehar, 2018) (in Mabunda, et al 2021). Basically, the production of livestock is a substantial agricultural enterprise in South Africa.…”

“…It has been noted that forty-nine percent of agricultural outputs are contributed by this sector in South Africa. Up to eighty-five percent (85%) of meat requirements are usually produced in South Africa, while just fifteen percent are imported from Europe and other countries such as Botswana, Namibia, Swaziland, New Zealand and Australia, (South African Government Information - SAGI -2010;and Sehar, 2018) (in Mabunda, et al 2021).…”