03 Apr 2019

Since its inception, Operation Kgomokhumo has been getting positive reviews from farmers who for many years were at the mercy of stock thieves.

The operation, which was initiated in the southern part of the country due to concerns that livestock thieves were impoverishing Batswana, had now made inroads in the northern part of the country.

Residents of Tonota were amongst those who sang praises to the Botswana Police Services led exercise.

Giving a report on developments in their village, during President Masisi’s kgotla meeting on Monday, Umbrella VDC vice chairperson, Mr Joseph Banda applauded government for coming up with the campaign, noting that it was yielding dividends sooner than expected.

The operation, he added, will result in an increase in their herds.

Mr Banda explained that many farmers had already lost hope on livestock farming as they lost their young calves to stock thieves at an alarming rate.

On other issues, he explained that the constituency fund helped the village to install street lights and build classroom blocks in Tonota and Mandunyane.

Consequently, he added that the fund enabled them to build kgotla shelters and were expecting to build more in the remaining villages.

The vice chairperson also commended government for the introduction of the new nutritional menu in schools.

For his part, Kgosi Bokamoso Radipitse of Tonota requested government to consider increasing the constituency fund, noting that it has proven to be a sustainable empowerment initiative for rural development.

“The fund also helps unite the people as we come together as different villages and plan our own development programmes. Also, it has engendered accountability and transparency as we have to report on how the money has been spent,” he highlighted.

Kgosi Radipitse commended the public officers in the village for their hard work and commitment. ENDS