03 May 2016

The Minister of Defence, Justice and Security, Mr Shaw Minister Kgathi, has emphasised the importance of collective efforts against livestock theft.

Giving a keynote address at a stock theft pitso in Lentsweletau on April 28, Minister Kgathi said stock theft needed a well thought  out strategy to fight it.

“We should collectively ensure that we jealously protect and nurture this resource for it to continue to thrive and benefit us more including our future generations”, said the minister.  

Mr Kgathi noted that the country was challenged by stock theft crimes, which were a threat to the beef industry.

Between 2013 and 2015 there was an increase of stock theft cases from 6 646 to 7 366, a figure that the minister said required collective commitment to reduce. 

He asserted that the beef industry was the only industry that consistently supplied the local market and produced efficient surplus to cater for the international market.

“We pride ourselves with a unique blend of beef that gives us a unique place in the world market”, said Mr Kgathi

The minister appealed to communities to take personal responsibility for the protection and security of their livestock, by ensuring controlled movements of livestock to protect them from predators, discouraged withdrawal of cases, vetting of herdboys and taking cluster policing to the cattlepost, among other things.

Mr Kgathi underscored the need to intensify strategies that would help tackle criminal syndicates and individuals involved in stock theft that he said had become complex and difficult to detect as they covered their tracks well.

“I can pronounce this morning without fear of contradiction from any quarter that our beef is among the best in the world.  Like we do with diamond, we must protect our might”, he said. 

The pitso, as the minister highlighted, was meant to provide opportunity for stakeholders to collectively deliver a stinging strategy against cattle thieves.

Meanwhile, Principal Magistrate William Modise of Molepolole bemoaned the rate at which cattle owners were losing their livestock  to thieves  due to insufficient evidence to support their claim on their alleged stolen stock.

He said Molepolole Magistrate Court was overwhelmed with high number of stocktheft cases some resulting from neglegience of owners who had the tendency of becoming part time farmers, thus allowing thieves to have advantage.

The area MP, Mr Vincent Seretse, said it was important that action be taken to deal with thieves who steal stock that was vital to the country’s economic growth.

He advised the farming community around Lentsweletau to take farming seriously by ensuring that their livestock  was constantly being taken care of. Ends