03 Jun 2015

Cross border crime remains a serious challenge in the Bobirwa area, says the Minister of Defence, Justice and Security, Mr Shaw Kgathi.

Therefore, Mr Kgathi, who is also the Member of Parliament for Bobonong, appealed to his constituents to join hands to arrest the situation.

The minister together with his cabinet colleagues, Mr Patrick Ralotsia of the Ministry of Agriculture and Mr Prince Maele of lands and housing  toured the area along Botswana and Zimbabwe border line.

They also addressed village leadership of Bobonong, Shalimpo and Mabolwe village on May 29 to sensetise them about international border issues. Mr Kgathi said the area was faced with the challenge of illegal immigrants, the spread of Foot and Mouth Disease and collapsed cordon fence along Shashe River.

The tour aimed at sensitising residents along the border against the dangers of employing illegal immigrants and farm labourers without permits.

Livestock rustling between the two countries, he said was becoming a common phenomenon in the area and appealed to residents to work with the security personnel to reduce such incidents.

MP Kgathi said as minister responsible for defence and security, he would work tirelessly to ensure that the country was safe and secure from external threats.

He noted that areas around the border were faced with many challenges, adding that in Bobirwa, cattle rustling has become common, while in Chobe and Ngamiland areas, they faced poaching challenges.

In areas like Mabule, Oliphants Drift and Sikwane, Mr Kgathi said people cross willingly between Botswana and South Africa because the border was not defined and said it was against that backdrop that the three ministers undertook a tour to sensetise the public and familiarise themselves with the border.

He said some Batswana were to blame for criminal activities committed because they harbour illegal immigrants who later engage in such acts. 

Other challenges faced by his constituents, he said are elephants that destroy the cordon fence and beacons at Tuli Circle, a move that contributes to FMD spread.

He said it was important for locals to understand the country’s boundary line with neighbouring states to avoid situations where citizens find themselves in foreign countries unknowingly.

Minister Ralotsia, also MP for Kanye North, said FMD was a challenge that must be fought earnestly by the farmers as it threatens the country’s beef market. 

Botswana, he said, has developed a purified vaccine which is rated as one of the best in Africa to combat FMD, adding that his ministry was also concerned that some people destroy the cordon fence.

He said the ministry understands and appreciates the challenge caused by elephants. He however appealed to Batswana to stop cutting the fence. For his part, Minister Maele who is also MP for Lerala/ Maunatlala stated that international boundaries were a sensitive issue that needed meticulous consultations with neighbours.

He said Botswana’s boundary line in Bobirwa was defined by the center of the two rivers of Limpopo with South Africa and Shashe with Zimbabwe. Mr Maele said with the Tuli Circle, his ministry has placed beacons to define the Botswana territory. ENDS