However, surveillance cameras along key routes are expensive to install and maintain. Earlier models could not record licence plate numbers, while newer models can – though night vision remains a challenge. High-quality surveillance cameras can cost thousands of rands and need to be replaced every five to seven years.
GPS collars and microchip implants have proven effective in tracking livestock, but they depend on stable cell phone reception.
“ If the signal is poor, even the best equipment won’ t help,” Scholtz explains.
Scanners for microchipped livestock are costly, often around R30,000 each, and beyond the reach of many new generation farmers. RFID ear tags( radio-frequency identification) cost between R25 and R28 each, which adds up for communal farmers already under financial pressure.