14 Nov 2016

Kgosi Omphile Bogoma of Komana village in the Ngamiland district has appealed to government to improve the stock theft unit in order for officers to serve the communities effectively and efficiently.

He appreciated the unit in the district but raised a concern about shortage of manpower and resources to service the communities diligently.

Kgosi Bogoma said in an interview that currently the unit which is situated at the Batawana main kgotla has five officers who operate with one vehicle and yet the district is vast and stock theft incidents are on the rise in the area. The unit, he said, receives a report on daily basis.

“This really frustrates our joint efforts to curb the escalating incidents of stock theft in the area because at times officers fail to attend incidents on time because the vehicle would be assisting in some other parts of the district,” he added.

He said stock theft has increased because in some instances it had been difficult to record cases because evidence had been destroyed before officers reach the scene.

Kgosi Bogoma appreciated efforts made by the officers and noted that if they could be well resourced, they could do a better job.

He said the communities were playing their part in curbing crime but were disappointed by the law enforcement turn-around time which has resulted in no arrest of the culprits.

Kgosi Bogoma was hopeful that government would at least increase the number of vehicles and officers to curb stock theft.

“The longer the delay, the less the possibility of achieving success in the fight against crime. Police could not open a complaint without facts or evidence hence the need for the government to up its game and ensure the office is well equipped,” he added.

He said it had been reported that some thieves target newly born calves, without brand marks. The culprits, he said, keep the stolen animals in hidden kraals in the bush where no one could reach and later sell them to some butcheries and individuals.

Kgosi Bogoma said it had now become a trend where some locals, especially young people resign from their jobs to indulge in stock theft adding that recently one culprit was arrested at Boro settlement chasing a large number of goats on a mission to sell them.

He appealed to the communities to continue with the good job of alerting police on suspicious people, emphasising the need to work together to stop the criminals from seeing farmers as soft target.

He also advised livestock owners to visit their cattle posts frequently and not to rely on herdsmen to do everything.

Kgosi Bogoma underscored the need for the community to form anti-stock theft committees in the villages to share strategies and encourage others to take care of their livestock. ends