10 Jun 2019

 Six men, among them two Palapye butchery owners, were June 7 remanded in custody by the Serowe Magistrate Court on charges of stock theft.

The six, Makka Dintwa, 50, a Palapye butchery owner who won the tender to supply the school with meat, another Palapye butchery owner, Obonye Ogopotse, 44, Nicholas Itsanang, 30, Keataretse Leshane, 34, Kakawe Khutsafalo, 45 and Tsheko Neo, 39 will appear for mention on June 20.

They are alleged to have stolen two cows worth P15 000 at Ntshose Cattle Post, being the property of Mr Seanapo Raiyo, slaughtered them and sold the meat to Lerala Junior Secondary School where it was found.

The men were arrested on June 4 near Mhalapitsa in the Central District after suspicious school authorities reported them to Kgomokhumo operatives.

Appearing before Senior Magistrate Wanani Ngewene on June 7, the accused told the court that they would seek legal representation.

Requesting bail, the butchery owners pointed out that their businesses would suffer badly while they were in custody while the other accused stated that their families did not know where they were and that their domestic animals were left unattended. 

They were denied bail on the grounds that investigations were still at the initial stage and some exhibits had not yet been found.

The court also heard that some informers were reluctant to give evidence for fear of victimisation.

In an interview, Botswana Police Service’s (BPS) Assistant Commissioner Dipheko Motube said stock-theft was one of the worst challenges on the livelihoods of Batswana which could only be overcome through community involvement.

Pointing out that livestock farming contributed enormously to the social and economic life of the nation, Mr Motube said it should be preserved at all costs.

He said BPS was putting in place further measures to reduce incidences of stock theft in Botswana.

 ‘’Livestock farmers are encouraged to form as many committees as possible as this will enable the police and other partners to impart vast knowledge pertaining to the safety of their property,’’ he said.

Mr Motube, who is BPS public relations officer, said crime prevention partners including the police, council and veterinary authorities as well as farmers were exhorted to enforce the measures to close all available stock theft opportunities.

He said the situation was exacerbated by unscrupulous farmers, who sold carcasses to butcheries. ENDS