17 Jun 2018

Commissioner of Botswana Police Service, Mr Keabetswe Makgophe has called on residents of villages in district 14 policing area to work with the police to curb stock theft.

He was speaking during the official launch of a anti-stock theft operation code named “Operation Kgomo-Khumo” which was held in Sekoma on June 14.

He said although the district had shown a little improvement in last year’s stock theft statistics as compared to the previous year, there was still need to root out the challenge once and for all.

The police commissioner called on all stakeholders to play a role to ensure that the operation became a success for other districts to benchmark from it. He said since stock theft was a national concern, the police had deployed a lot of equipment as well as experts in various fields to ensure a successful operation.

“To show that we take this operation in high regard, we have deployed resources such as helicopters, vehicles and horses from other districts solely for this exercise. I therefore encourage you to be our whistle blowers as we carry out this operation,” he said.

He noted that the police alone could not stop stock theft if farmers and other members of the society were not cooperative. 

He appealed to them to help police with tip-offs of any suspicious dealings which would be investigated.

Furthermore, he said they would not allow complainants to withdraw cases of stock theft, especially those reported during the course of the operation. He said it was disappointing for the police to use a lot of resources to investigate such cases only for complainants to later withdraw cases.

Mr Makgophe said they should not be discouraged when accused persons were given bail since it was a provision within the law. He also advised them of their right to transfer their cases from customary courts to magistrates’ courts as well as their right to legal representation.

He further underscored the need for timely expedition of stock theft cases, saying keeping exhibits for a long time was costly to government.

The chairperson of the Southern District Beef Farmers Association, Mr Tiroyaone Mmereki called on farmers and the community to work with the police so that the operation could bear fruit. He said stock theft was rife in their area but some cases remained unresolved because people were withholding important information from the police.

“Let us all work with the police because even though we might not have the power to prosecute, we have the power to report suspicious cases of stock theft,” he said.

Senior chief representative, Kgosi Kwelagobe Mookodi emphasised the need for the community to work hand in hand with the police. 

He said the introduction of community policing in 2008 was intended to bring together law enforcement officials and the community for a common goal of crime prevention.

He also urged traditional doctors to desist from assisting criminals in their escapades as this impoverished many Batswana. He said conniving hampered government’s efforts of poverty eradication because some of the stolen stock was awarded through such programmes. Ends