26 Oct 2015

Boteti East Member of Parliament Mr Sethomo Lelatisitswe has urged residents of Letlhakane to establish strategies to curb the high rate of stock theft since culprits were known among them.

He condemned the escalating rate of stock theft in the village during a kgotla meeting in Letlhakane recently.

Mr Lelatisitswe was responding to concerns raised by Kgosi Barontshi Kegapetswe who had earlier on complained that stock theft has taken its toll in Boteti. One of the residents Mr Gotewamang Mokganedi, reiterated the high stock theft rate saying he lost 15 horses due to the crime.

Mr Gotewamang wondered how branded animals were moved unlawfully between the veterinary gates from one zone to another. Mr Otsile Mmatlakgomo implored farmers to form syndicates to fight stocktheft.

Mr Mmatlakgomo expressed dissatisfaction with the veterinary office in Letlhakane saying the department was constrained to undertake services in the sub-district

Another resident Mr Gonewang Tawana said the police were failing to apply stringent measures with regard to controlling of stock theft. Mr Tawana said he once reported thieves slaughtering a cow, but no action was taken as he was told there was no complainant.

Mr Obusitswe Tshiamo also reiterated that the police were not responsive with regard to cases of stock theft where there is no complainant.

The station commander of Letlhakane police station Superintendent Michael Maphephu admitted that stock theft cases were high in Letlhakane, saying most of the culprits have been arrested

Superintendent Maphephu said they have arrested a BMW driver who had been supplying beef in butcheries and impounded his vehicle over suspicion of illegal dealings.

He noted that people purchase cattle in Boteti especially in Mopipi village since they are sold at cheaper price.

Superintendent Maphephu added that most of the cattle were stolen in the process of transporting these cattle.

Furthermore Mr Lelatisitswe said parents were failing to partake in the education of their children as witnessed in prize giving ceremonies that took place recently.

He urged parents to join hands in the education of their children. In addition, he said car accidents were escalating in Letlhakane taking young lives . He condemned drunken drivers whom he said were the main causes of these accidents. Ends