19 Sep 2019

The involvement of criminal syndicates has rendered stock theft complex and difficult to detect, says Tatitown court president, Mr Ishmael Legwaila.

Speaking at a stock theft seminar in Goshwe on Tuesday, he said the  situation called for concerted efforts from law enforcement officers and the community at large.

Mr Legwaila said stock theft was one of the greatest threats to the development of the country hence the need to address it.

He said in most cases, the suspects were known and yet farmers were reluctant to report them while at the same time  suffering the consequences.

Mr Legwaila advised farmers to be vigilant at all times and report suspicious strangers in their territor further encouraging them to take care of their livestock by branding and ear marking them.

He further urged them to participate in all anti-stock theft initiatives.

“As the community, we have to take active involvement in the fight against stock theft and come up with initiatives such as joining anti-stock theft committees and ensuring that your animals have been marked appropriately,” he said.

For his part, Tutume veterinary officer, Mr Jabulani Maposa advised farmers to keep records of their livestock.

He emphasised the importance of ear tags and marks as well as branding of calves at three months old. Mr Maposa explained that ear tags (BAITS) were computerised for easy monitoring.

Meanwhile, Senior Superintendent Kabo Badirwang said the joint seminar between Botswana and Zimbabwe was to cultivate a culture of information sharing on stock theft cases and to identify the root causes of the crime.

Senior Superintendent Badirwang said another objective was to empower and resuscitate farmer’s committees to curb the increasing numbers of stock theft cases in Botswana and Zimbabwe.

Among the Zimbabwean delegates were three chiefs led by Inspector Lazarus Ncube.ENDS