05 Aug 2021

Police here have foiled an apparent cross-border theft of 116 goats and sheep into South Africa.

Superintendent Boipuso Baatweng of Semolale police told BOPA in an interview that a team of police officers and soldiers intercepted 91 goats and 18 sheep at the confluence of Shashe and Limpopo rivers, known locally as Shalimpo. 

The Limpopo River forms part of the eastern border between South Africa and Botswana. 

“These animals were intercepted just before they could cross Limpopo River into South Africa,” said Supt Baatweng who believes the rustlers abandoned the animals upon seeing the police and military team. 

Supt Baatweng said their investigations had shown that the animals were stolen from Semolale, Mabolwe, Gobojango and adjacent cattle posts. 

Consequently, Supt Baatweng called on farmers whose animals were missing to check Semolale Police station as the animals may be among the rescued. 

He said so far no one had come forward to claim any of the animals. 

He observed that this year alone a total of 268 animals were reported stolen and only 68 were recovered. 

The 116 animals take the figure to 384 stolen animals. 

Supt Baatweng appealed to farmers to report their missing animals as soon as they suspected them stolen. 

This, he said, would expedite interception. 

He also thanked members of communities of Mabolwe, Semolale and Gobojango for working with the police by helping to patrol the border to thwart livestock rustlers. Ends