Three men whose cattle were confiscated by police six years ago are suing the Minister of Safety & Security for R9.5m following the loss of 116 animals, says a report in The Witness.

The application – brought by Anil Sewraj Ahir as well as Heamedlall and Pranesh Sewraj – came before the KZN High Court (Pietermaritzburg) this week and was adjourned to May for trial.

The men were the co-owners of a herd of cattle and conducted a joint farming venture at the farm Lutchman’s Lodge in Lions River. The particulars of the claim said that in May 2003, a few police officers attached to the stock theft unit ‘wrongfully and maliciously’ arrested and charged the men with stock theft.

In addition, the policemen confiscated 155 head of cattle, and 46 were unlawfully handed over to people who claimed the cattle belonged to them.

The claim added that this was done ‘even though the officers did not have any reasonable grounds to do so.’

Alternatively, it was done ‘without proper investigation to establish if the cattle indeed belonged to them’.

The next day the three men appeared in the Ladysmith Magistrate’s Court charged with stock theft. That year they appeared in court six more times before all charges were dropped.

Full report in The Witness (subscription needed)