Africa-Press – Botswana. All stakeholders have been urged to join forces toward cracking down stock theft syndicates in the North West District.
Despite efforts by the government to establish a stock theft unit in the region, the area is experiencing a rise in stock theft, which had led to some kraals abandoned while some residents are living in fear of losing their livestock.
Kgosi Tapoloso Mosika of Lekawa Kgotla in Maun said during a meeting with the district leadership on Wednesday that the thieves were armed with dangerous weapons.
He implored government to tighten laws and stiffen sentences, to deter criminals from engaging in such crime.
He revealed that there were some cattle posts in the outskirts of Matsaudi termed as ‘no go area’ because they served as a haven for stock theft syndicates.
“The thieves are denying communities the right to enjoy their wealth” said the concerned Kgosi Mosika, who also indicated that his kraal was empty because of stock theft.
He also cited a recent incident in which 10 goats belonging to a certain farmer were stolen and kept in a hole in the bush.
He said it seemed the culprits monitored the movement of farmers noting that his animals were stolen while he was away in Maun for health reasons and upon return the following day, he found the kraal empty.
Kgosi Mosika also raised concern over butchery owners who patronised such culprits by buying cattle and slaughtering them in the bush. He indicated that there were reports that the stolen meat was sold to some local butcheries in Maun.
He said, the issue was of concern to traditional leaders under Matlapana customary court as farmers were using Topline dip aimed to control bovine-dermatophilosis disease, which they had been informed that it lasted for a period of three months in an animal.
“Our concern is that members of the community’s health is at risk as they may end up buying the meat that is unsafe for consumption.”
While he appreciated efforts by the police to curb the problem, he emphasised they could not win the battle alone as they were under resourced and pleaded with other key stakeholders and the community at large to support them.
Stock theft, he said, had broader social and economic implications, which could impact the entire rural community and the wider agricultural industry hence the need to act to curb it.
Kgosi Mosika also highlighted that some thieves kept matimela cattle in their kraals, allowing them to give birth and then brand and mark the calves as their own.
Division traffic officer, Senior Superintendent Emisang Makgasane, shared the same sentiments saying stock theft was a problem countrywide. He however, stressed the need to strengthen community policing and rapport with police to combat the vice.
She highlighted that the situation was exacerbated by some farmers as they let their livestock roam freely without branding and or a mark saying thieves took advantage, hence she called on farmers to introspect and brand their animalds to fend off the thieves.
Farmers were also advised to ear-tag their calves as a way of fighting stock theft.
She said livestock was the backbone of many rural communities and if the situation was not arrested, it would leave some farmers impoverished.
Senior Superintendent Makgasane encouraged residents to report any suspicious incidents of stock theft to help police address the problem and bring the culprits to book.
For More News And Analysis About Botswana Follow Africa-Press
