Africa-Press – Eswatini. Community police in the Lubombo region are singing praises for newly-deployed Regional Commissioner Zandile Mnisi and the Stock Theft Prevention Unit for their evident contribution in the fight against stock theft.
Stock theft remains the number one enemy for farmers in the region, as they lose cattle and goats worth millions of Emalangeni each year. On average, at least 20 cattle (totaling to E200 000) get stolen in different parts of the region per month.
The most affected areas are those situated on the eastern side of the region. These include Mhlumeni, Sitsatsaweni, Makhewu, Maphungwane, Tikhuba and Mambane.
Sithobelweni also has high cases of stock theft. Through a number of programmes, the Royal Eswatini Police Service (REPS) collaborates with community police and farmers in formulating strategies to fight stock theft. Community police say this has had a positive impact in the communities. Lugongolweni Community Police leader Kaizer Mathonsi commended Mnisi for the commitment she had displayed in fighting stock theft.
“Her commitment is unquestionable; she is always ready to engage us in matters of stock theft,” said Mathonsi.
Mathonsi said the regional commissioner’s contribution was equal to that of someone who had been in the region for years. Mnisi was only deployed as the regional commissioner mid this year. Equally, Mathonsi commended the commitment of the stock theft prevention unit, led by Officer in Charge Inspector Phiva Zubuko.
Mathonsi disclosed that in many instances, the police accompanied them when going to look for their stolen cattle in the forests.
“There was a time when we went with the police to Mozambique and spent days there, as we were looking for cattle believed to have been stolen,” he said.
Mathonsi said they noted that the police went an extra mile in their line of duty to assist farmers. He disclosed that in some instances, the police under the stock theft prevention unit forfeit their off days and respond to emergency calls, which required them to cross the border to either Mozambique or South Africa.
For this reason, Mathonsi said they were happy with their collaboration with the police, as they were able to recover some of the lost cattle through this collaboration.
Mathonsi was echoed by Malindza community police leader Albert ‘Seven Days’ Tsabedze, who added that the police’s commitment resulted to a decrease in the theft of goats under Malindza and surrounding communities. The theft of goats has been rife at Malindza and Lubhuku communities in the past years.
When reached for comment, the regional commissioner briefly thanked the community police for recognising her efforts and that of the police in the region. Mnisi said she was looking forward to eradicating crime in general, with the involvement of members of the public.
Mnisi then referred more questions to the office of the police information and communications.
Meanwhile, Mathonsi reported that more cattle were reportedly stolen from Mambane over the past two weeks.
He disclosed that so far, they had information which suggested the cattle were driven across the border-line and towards Mhlabuyalingana in neighbouring South Africa.
“The cattle were traced to KaKhathwane, a community in South Africa and close to another border to Mozambique. Only calves were recovered near a river that crosses towards Mhlabuyalingana,” said Mathonsi.
Mathonsi said they believed the cattle were driven across the river to a nearby community in South Africa. Some farmers from Mambane and community police were reported to be currently in the neighbouring country to look for the cattle.
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