13 May 2019

Police in Tonota have impounded 44 cattle, 107 goats and eight sheep suspected to have been stolen.

Superintendent Oteng Ngada explained that the animals were impounded through operation KgomoKhumo’s mini version dubbed operation Nde dze bathu, which is a Kalanga coined phrase for ‘they belong to the people.’

He said 13 suspects, who are on bail, have already appeared before court and their cases would soon be heard at the Magistrate courts.

He said most of the suspects who are on bail are Batswana while foreigners remain jailed as they are a flight risks.

Superintendent Ngada further explained that most of the cattle rustlers were arrested in Mabesekwa area and several cattleposts of Thakadiawa and Masamu.

He said through the operation, the police were making breakthroughs and commended farmers for their support in ensuring the operation bear fruits.

He explained that stock theft cases were of a great concern, not only to farmers, but also to government, hence the amendment of the Stock Theft Act, which has increased penalties for wrongdoers.

Supt Ngada said an increased number of hijacks in Tonota had been reported.

He said in one of the incidents, three thieves robbed a 59-year-old man of Semotswane a Toyota Hilux worth P290 000 at knife point on April 24 at around 2100 hours when the victim and others were renovating a hardware shop.

Supt Ngada said the vehicle was found abandoned near Matshelagabedi after it got stuck when the culprits were trying to cross a stream.

All the three men are still at large and the police are appealing to the public to help with information that could lead to their arrest.

On May 1, Supt Ngada said six robbers were intercepted by the police at Changate when they were trying to smuggle a vehicle into Zimbabwe.

He said the six had gone to Mabesekwa settlement, where they robbed a 65-year-old man his Toyota Hilux Double Cab worth P485 000 at knife point.

The police managed to arrest one of the suspects, a Zimbabwean national, Tafa ‘Dumisani’ Ncube, and he has already appeared before the Francistown Magistrate’s court.

At the time of going to press, another accomplice, a Motswana man from Majwaneng in Tswapong will also appear before court.

Also, Supt Ngada said murder and rape cases were increasing in his policing area, noting that from January to April, Tonota Police Station had recorded three murder cases and 13 cases of rape, with one case involving a man to a man.

He said in the man to man case, which happened in February, the victim is an ex-convict and mentally challenged. ENDS