12 May 2016

Stock theft continues to be a worrisome crime that affects farmers and economy of Botswana and needs concerted efforts for it to be overcome.

Speaking during a kgotla meeting in Mmathubudukwane on May 11, the Minister of Defence Justice and Security Mr Shaw Kgathi said there is a serious concern of stock theft in the area which needed a lot be accounted for.

He said statistics had shown that from January to March this year, already 11 cases of stock theft had been recorded as compared to 11 cases last year.

Minister Kgathi said this was disheartening as it showed the seriousness of stock rustlers who prided themselves through smuggling cattle and Batswana should  come together to stop it.

He said recently they held a stock theft pitso in Lentsweletau where some comments made by participants alerted them of the cause of the problem and will act on their advices.

Mr Kgathi further said some of the thieves “are our children and we know them but we fail to report them so that they are caught and justice prevails.”

Another major concern in the area was house breaking as at March 2016, there were  6 cases reported. He said these house breakings were done during the day when residential homes were left unattended when owners were at work.

Minister Kgathi implored the community to intensify their community policing so as to increase visibility to deter this perpetrators.

He said he was also worried about cross border crime especially smuggling of tobacco products in our neighbouring countries. 

 “I am aware that the borderline fence has long been vandalised making it easy for culprits to cross easily into South Africa. The other challenge we are facing is none availability of the patrol route along the borderline which hampers patrols,” said Mr Kgathi.

He said therefore government through his ministry had decided to construct Mmathubudukwane Police Station to promote peace and safety within the populace.

Minister Kgathi further said the police station would come along with 55 police houses which would help address shortage of accommodation.

He said the project was going to create direct and indirect employment amongst the communities. He encouraged them to take lead on developments like this one to ensure that the project was delivered within budget, time and specifications.

He assured the residents that the project had been budgeted for even though he could not state the exact date to commence its construction.

Residents applauded government for answering their plea which they had made for some time now but at last they would get their police station.

Member of Parliament for Mochudi East Constituency Mr Isaac Davids said they were glad that “at last government has answered our request.”

He said it had been years since the request was made but this year as the river villages they had been blessed to receive such a development project in their area. ENDS