25 Apr 2019

The anti-stock theft operation code named ‘Operation Kgomo-Khumo’ continues to bear fruit following the recent arrest of four suspects who were found in possession of 11 goats, two cows and two donkeys in the Central District.

The smallstock is suspected to have been stolen at Mmashoro and Dimajwe.

The suspects are Learnmore Tekere, 34, a Zimbabwean national, Matshidiso Keagane, 37, of Dimajwe and Harold Matlho, 55, of Makakana ward in Moshupa.

Letshogo Bantanthile of Sasane Cattle Post, who is alleged to have stolen two cows and two donkeys together with the other three, appeared before Kgosi Opelo Disang at  Mmashoro Customary Court after failing to account for the smallstock.

All of them pleaded not guilty and Matlho said he wanted his case to be heard at a magistrate court since he had a lawyer to consult first. They were given conditional bail.

In another incident, police have arrested Keboseke Gabotoge, 71, of Patwe lands in the outskirts of Mabeleapudi in connection with two cattle suspected to have been stolen. The arrest was made after the suspect, who originates from Serowe, failed to account for a mix-up in the branding and acquisition of the livestock.

It is alleged that the cattle came to his kraal in 2006 as stray cattle, and that he marked them with his brand instead of reporting them to responsible authorities.

Botswana Police Service public relations officer, Assistant Commissioner Dipheko Motube said some cattle thieves recently found themselves on the wrong side of the law after they were hauled before a magistrate’s court to answer for charges of stock theft.

Mr Motube said thieves were targeting smallstock meant for LIMID and Poverty Eradication Programme beneficiaries.

He said they were investigating a smallstock theft case in which 150 goats were stolen in the Central District, and that they have managed to find only 20 of them.

“Most of them were issued to small farmers through government assistance programmes,” he said.

He said since the operation started, many rustlers have been arrested, especially in the northern part of the country.  ENDS