20 Nov 2018

A total of 81 cattle were stolen in the Tutume Policing and rustled into Zimbabwe, says Minister of Presidential Affairs, Governance and Public Administration Mr Nonofo Molefhi.

Minister Molefhi, who was responding to a question in Parliament on behalf of Minister of Defence, Justice and Security, said that out of this number, 40 were recovered.

Mr Molefhi said that none were returned to their lawful owners, but they were destroyed as per government policy on the control of Foot and Mouth Disease.

He noted that the Botswana police Service undertakes regular border patrols to curb cattle rustling into Zimbabwe.

Mr Molefhi said that Maitengwe Police Station, which is currently under construction will go a long way in alleviating this problem, adding that farmers in this policing area were continuously sensitised about the persistent problem of cattle rustling in the area.  He said that currently the area was serviced by Special Support Group (SSG) base camp, which is situated between Maitengwe and Dagwi, citing that this camp was considered sufficient for now and services would improve as soon as the Maitengwe Police Station becomes operational.

MP for Nkange Mr Edwin Batshu had asked the minister to state the number of cattle stolen in the Tutume Policing area that were recovered from Zimbabwe since January to date and how many of such cattle were returned to their lawful owners.

Mr Batshu also wanted to know the measures in place to curb further smuggling of stolen cattle into Zimbabwe and whether he would consider establishing a Botswana Police Service-SSG Base camp at Maitengwe Border Gate as a matter of urgency since the area remains a hotspot for cattle rustling into Zimbabwe. ENDS