28 Jan 2015

Some communities in the Bobonong constituency have appealed to government to replace the Botswana Defence Force (BDF) with Botswana Police Service’s Special Support Group (SSG) for border patrols in their area.

The residents pleaded during kgotla meetings addressed by their Member of Parliament (MP) Mr Shaw Kgathi at Mabolwe, Semolale and Gobojango villages, also known as MASEGO.

They told their MP, who is also the Minister of Justice, Defence and Security that in their opinion, the SSG cadres were more effective to deal with cross border crimes than their military counterparts.

They told of how they had become destitute owing to the loss of their valued animals including cattle and donkeys after they had strayed into the neighboring Zimbabwe or through cattle rustling.

The residents remembered how during the SSG era in the area, they used to arrest cross border criminals more effectively, including tracking the lost animals up to Zimbabwe which the BDF cannot do due to the nature of their duty.

Mabolwe Village Development Committee (VDC) chairperson Mr Setshedi Madiope said SSG patrols were very successful as crime was effectively curbed until they were replaced by BDF. Mr Madiope said rustlers had also cut the cordon fence which defeated government’s efforts of addressing the Foot and Mouth Disease in Zone 7.

“Cattle from Zimbabwe cross into our area and that has the potential to spread FMD further,” he said, adding that the situation was worsened by the shortage of picketers to maintain the rundown fence.

In Semolale and Gobojango, the residents shared the same sentiments that members of the BDF should be replaced with SSG members for similar reasons including the fact that the SSG had base in Gobojango.

Another concern was that of the cordon fence which they felt should be electrified. In response, Mr Kgathi assured his constituents that he would consult with BDF and Botswana Police on how best the issue of cross border crime can be addressed.

“I understand that crime has crippled you and that you are unable to plough because your draught power (donkeys) has been stolen,” he shared their concerns, adding that the project to expand Semolale Police station was deferred due to the lack of funds and that it would be considered during NDP 10 extension.

On other issues, the MP informed the residents of MASEGO that government had struck off the Value Added Tax (VAT) on some essential food items such as bread, bread flour, samp, milk, rice, fruits and vegetables, to make it easier for people to get their staple food.

He said that would be effective immediately after government had signed for exemption; he thus appealed to the Bobonong sub-council to educate business operators about the new development. VAT, he said had also been exempted from tractors and farming implements. ENDS