Africa-Press – Botswana. Tribal regiments or mephato have been described as an effective form of preventing and fighting crime stemming from the past.
Speaking during the launch of 10 persons mophato at Moletemane recently, Kgosi Joel Masilo who represent Bobirwa at Ntlo Ya Dikgosi, said although the resuscitated mephato in his area had been largely combating livestock rustling, especially cross-border stock theft, they had a role to play in preventing and combating crime of any form.
Although members do not have the powers to arrest suspects, they have been tasked with conducting themselves in a manner appropriate with their duties of helping the law enforcement agencies like the police, wildlife officers and members of Botswana Defence Force.
“Your job will not be to only focus on livestock theft at your cattleposts, but you will be charged with an array of duties like helping curb illegal border crossing and addressing farmers on crime prevention,” Kgosi Masilo said.
Following a successful resuscitation of mephato at Mabolwe, Semolale and Gobojango charged with helping law enforcement agencies patrol the border amongst other things, the move was extended to other parts of Bobirwa, chiefly to combat livestock theft and general crime.
Although mephato were a practice from the past, Kgosi Masilo said rampant cross-border livestock rustling in Bobirwa forced them to retreat to the yesteryear methods like mephato, which ultimately bore edible and succulent fruits.
“This is nothing new, but we are just retracing our steps back and pluck out that, which had been helpful towards fighting crime,” said Kgosi Masilo.
He said members of mephato were better versed with places and areas than the law enforcement agencies and therefore called on them to be of great assistance to the police by uprooting concealed crime.
Kgosi Masilo warned them that they would be treated like public servants, something that would earn them the wrath of criminals. The traditional leader also warned members against involvement in crime or even harboring criminals.
The 10 members mophato, with nine men and a woman, received protective clothing, shoes and water bagged bottles. Their uniform, Kgosi Masilo said, should be a badge of honour to those who don it.
Members, who are expected to be constantly tipping off the law enforcement agencies on suspicions of crime, have been tasked to keep a keen eye on poaching, environment pollution, illegal border crossing as well as sale and use of illicit drugs.
Speaking at the same event, Officer Commanding District 10, Senior Superintendent Agreement Mapeu reiterated the role of mephato, saying had mephato been active in a long time, crime would have been lowered significantly.
“We will walk this journey together and I expect us to work jointly and smoothly,” said Snr Supt Mapeu, also assuring mephato of the police’s unwavering support.
He emphasised the need to conduct business in a timely manner, saying mephato should report suspicious activities immediately, so that suspects could be nabbed right away.
Chairman of mephato in the area, Mr Gakegonyatse Mathora said preventing and fighting crime through mephato was not a difficult task. He also informed members that their success would be determined by their consumption of guidance from law enforcement agencies and dikgosi.
“We successfully defeated cross-border livestock rustling in a manner boxers unleash sucker-punches,” said Mr Mathora.
Members of mephato are remunerated under Ipelegeng and volunteers register with dikgosi who eventually vet for suitability.
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