19 Jul 2018

Minister of Agricultural Development and Food Security, Mr Patrick Ralotsia has warned rustlers of the upcoming piece of legislation intended to clamp down on stock theft.

Mr Ralotsia issued the warning during a kgotla meeting he addressed in Kanye on July 18.

He said the legislation, expected to be discussed and passed during the next parliamentary session, would attract heavy penalties as a deterrent to the rising incidence of stock theft.

Batswana, particularly pastoral farmers, have expressed concern about increasing incidents of stock theft by criminal syndicates across the length and breadth of the country, saying the scourge would leave them languishing in abject poverty.

Mr Ralotsia said if found to be on the wrong side of the law, first offenders would  be sentenced to a minimum of 12 years behind bars.

The minister, who is also Kanye North legislator, therefore issued a stern warning to mischievous elements to either shape up or face the music.

He also briefed residents about the Proceeds and Instruments of Crime (Amendment) Bill meant to align the act with the Eastern and Southern Africa Anti Money Laundering Group (ESAAMLG) which Botswana is a signatory  to. 

On other issues, Mr Ralotsia expressed unhappiness at sheer lack of proactiveness by many Batswana farmers who had failed to embrace government assistance extended to them to plough and produce food for themselves and the country.

He therefore urged Batswana to give government returns on investment by taking considerable care of their fields and animals.

“You also need to move with the times and employ conventional methods to get the best out of your farming,” he said.

Commenting, residents applauded government for the proposed law on stock theft saying it was long overdue.

They prayed for even stiffer penalties on livestock thieves adding that the granting of bail to stock theft suspects required review. ENDS