Africa-Press – Botswana. Cross border crime in areas along the Botswana/Zimbabwe border may affect the uptake of the Temo Letlotlo agricultural programme.
Tati East Member of Parliament, Dr Douglas Letsholathebe told a meeting attended by the leadership of Matsiloje, Matopi, Matshelagabedi, Botswana Defence Force and Botswana Police Service officers, that farmers in these areas were afraid to go to their fields because of the illegal gold miners, who posed a threat to their safety.
Crime in the in the area, he said, also included border jumping, house breaking and illegal immigrants.
Dr Letsholathebe said the crime was a major obstacle to the success of the programme, which aimed to improve food security and reduce poverty in the country.
He explained that addressing these problems, especially that of illegal gold mining, was essential to ensure that farmers benefitted from the programme and improve their livelihoods.
“The fear of farmers to go to their fields because of illegal gold miners is an obstacle that threatens the success of the programme and the livelihoods of farmers in the area,” he said.
Acting Divisional Commander (North), Assistant Commissioner Bonosi Molapisi said the police were working round the clock to address the issue.
“I want to reassure the residents that action is being taken to address the issue, even if it is not visible to them yet. You wait and see,” he added.
He encouraged residents to have faith that the situation would improve and that their safety would be restored.
Mr Molapisi highlighted the challenges of policing an area with such a long and porous border.
“We have discovered many illegal entry points along the border with Zimbabwe. These illegal routes allow movement of people and goods, which makes it difficult to enforce the law. We are doing everything we can to close these entry points and to secure the border, but it is a difficult task,” he told the meeting.
Assistant Commissioner Molapisi expressed hope that the community would help by reporting any suspicious activity and assist the police in their efforts.
For their part, the leaders complained that the issue of illegal gold mining has been in recurring for more than two years.
One of the residents, Mr Elias Majama, said the illegal gold miners crossed the border as they wished day and night and they had become a threat to their lives.
He said the miners had opened illegal entry points along the border through which they smuggled goods and livestock to Zimbabwe.
Matshelagabedi councillor, Mr Tagala Motsamai appealed for a police post in the village, upgrading of the Matsiloje police station and increased number of police officers in the area.
He said most of their livestock, especially donkeys, which they use as draught power, had been stolen and taken to Zimbabwe. Other residents suggested the revival of joint patrols by Botswana police officers and their Zimbabwean counterparts.
They also complained about some police officers whom they said revealed the names of their informers, which they said was unprofessional.
Kgosi Tshimologo Toteng of Matopi settlement informed the meeting that small stock given to Remote Area Dwellers in her settlement had all been stolen and taken to Zimbabwe.
Kgosi Eric Moipolai of Matsiloje complained that on weekends, the Matsiloje Police Station was manned by the most junior police officer in the rank of special constable.
Matsiloje Councillor, Ms Florah Mpetsane called for a cordial working relationship between the police and the community.
She implored the community to report cases of illegal crossing, illegal mining, or any other crimes to the police.
Ms Mpetsane said the communities along the border were very angry about these crimes and called for foot patrols along the border line.
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