14 Apr 2016

The Minister of Agriculture, Mr Patrick Ralotsia has called on the residents of Kanye and surrounding villages to beware of three buffaloes suspected to be lurking about in the area.

The buffaloes were linked to the one that was killed and later burnt by the police on Monday March 11 near Goo-Seno, five kilometres from Kanye.

Mr Ralotsia sounded the warning bells in kgotla meetings he addressed in Magotlhwane, Kgomokasitwa and Goo-Seno this week.

However, he could not divulge much about where the animals in question came from save to say the one that was shoot down was seen by young men who were looking for cattle.

The two brothers reportedly escaped with a few scratches.

Meanwhile, Mr Ralotsia told residents that some specimen was taken to the laboratory to test if the buffalo was infested with Foot and Mouth Disease or not.

It was upon this background that the Ministry of Agriculture moved swiftly to impose movement restrictions of any cloven hoofed animals and their byproducts within Zone 11 forthwith.

“These restrictions are primarily to try and contain further spread of the disease in the event tests results come out positive,” he said.

The minister also said Botswana, as an exporter of beef, was bound by treaties it had with other trading partners to ensure meat safety.

Mr Ralotsia did not rule out the possibility of the closure of Botswana Meat Commission in Lobatse.

Residents applauded government for its rapid response to stop any possible disease spread. They promised to adhere to restrictions put in place by the Ministry of Agriculture.

Mr Israel Karima, whose sons came face to face with the shot buffalo while looking for cattle, said it was by the grace of God that his two boys escaped with scratches.  ENDS