17 Apr 2016

The Minister of Agriculture says anyone found to be violating recent animal movement restrictions in Zone 11 will be prosecuted.

The freeze followed incursion of a buffalo around Goora-Seno near Kanye.

The buffalo in question has since been killed and burnt. However, there was suspicion that the eliminated beast could have been in the company of three more buffaloes.

Mr Ralotsia said during an interview in Kanye that the police had been instructed to arrest anyone that would be found to be on the wrong side of the law in this regard.
The minister therefore called on all to heed the advice of the Ministry of Agriculture and ensure compliance.

“That  buffalo has been found is not of paramount importance at this point in time. Our worry and point of focus is whether the animal in question was a carrier of Foot and Mouth Disease,” he said.

The frozen movement, according to Mr Ralotsia, was one way of curbing further disease spread should preliminary tests at Botswana Vaccine Institute come out positive.

If caution is not taken, the minister said, violation of the restrictions could serious deal a blow to the meat industry.

“Any nocturnal movement and slaughter of animals by farmers should be shunned at all costs,” he said.

He thus called for calm and assured the nation that the Ministry of Agriculture was doing its best to handle the matter. ENDS