30 Jul 2014

Police are investigating reports that some Batswana farmers crossed into Zimbabwe and attacked a cattle post whose owners were suspected to have stolen cattle in Botswana.

Senior Superintendant Takongwa Madzwiduma, a police officer commanding in the area, said in an interview that 10 Batswana farmers from Lepokole and surrounding cattle posts were suspected to have tracked their donkeys into Zimbabwe and shot three Zimbabwean men on July 13.

Mr Mazwiduma said Botswana police received a report from their Zimbabwean counterparts about the incident. He said on July 9, the suspected Batswana farmers crossed into Zimbabwe and reposed some of their stolen donkeys at a cattle post near Shashe River.

They returned home to re-group for the invasion four days later. No one died during the incident. He warned the residents to never cross the border illegally because it was an offence to do so. Suspected stock theft should be reported to the police.

Mr Mazwiduma added that Botswana and Zimbabwean police had good working relations. The neighbourhood watch in that country always helped police recover stolen goods as was the case in 2010 when 57 stolen donkeys The police commander said cross-border crime was supported by Batswana who employed illegal immigrants in their farms and cattle posts.

He said Lepokole people who emulate residents of Matlopi, Mabolwe, Gobojango and Semolale who have stopped employing illegal Zimbabwean immigrants. He promised Lepokole residents that police would intensify their operations in the area to stem livestock rustling. However, success will occur if the residents played their part.Kgosi Mmirwa Malema of Bobirwa said invading another country was a provocation for war. ENDS