05 Dec 2021

If not permanently addressed the cross-border livestock rustling has the potential to taint relations between Botswana and Zimbabwe, various speakers have said.

They were speaking at meeting on Thursday, where Zimbabwean ambassador to Botswana, Mr Henry Mukonoweshuro met with Bobirwa Sub District leadership in preparations to visit areas gravely affected by cross-border livestock theft.

Chiefly, they advised that bi-national commission, to be held in Victoria Falls early next year, should expeditiously devise a long-lasting solution to the four-decade cattle-rustling problem in the area.

In reponse, Mr Mukonoweshuro said he expected the bi-national commission to yield permanent solutions that would put a stop to the rampant cross-border stock theft. Already, Mr Mukonoweshuro said, he had informed President Emmerson Mnangagwa about the reported cross-border crime in the region.

In fact, he said that President Mnangagwa had advised him to visit the affected region to collect firsthand information and also visit hotspots on either side of the border. The same problem has been detected at Matebele Lands, according to the ambassador.

“It needs to be nipped, and nipped now,” Mr Mukonoweshuro said about the cross-border livestock rustling. He concurred that the crime bore potential to dent ‘the good relations and neigbourliness’ of the two countries, considering the ‘staggering statistics’ provided by Botswana Police Service.

Statistics from 2016 to August this year showed that there were 159 reported cases of livestock rustling under Number 10 policing district, led by senior superintendent Bonolo Molapisi.

Mr Molapisi revealed that in the period, 1163 cattle, 233 donkeys, 1008 goats and 279 sheep were reported stolen.

Only 158 cattle, 77 donkeys, 168 goats and 54 sheep were recovered. In addition to livestock theft, there was also reported cutting of the cordon fence and stealing of the same, which Mr Mukonoweshuro said, “brings miseries to our economies.”

For his part, Member of Parliament for Bobonong, Mr Taolo expressed concern that the continued cross-border theft threatened territorial integrity of Botswana.

Mr Lucas called on Presidents Dr Mokgweetsi Masisi and Mnangagwa to take note of the fact cattle rustling had been a problem in the area 40 years, when they finally discuss solutions, at the Victoria Falls meeting.

“We are very concerned because this problem is talked about yet not acted upon,” said the Bobonong legislator, who argued that previous bi-national commissions had not addressed the cross-border crime adequately.

MP Lucas who observed that the crime started off as common theft and degenerated into ‘intrusive dimensions’ argued both countries needed provide the full might of their security agencies to end it.

“We want to believe that your coming here is a testament of the seriousness you are treating this matter with,” he said.

Ambassador Mukonoweshuro explained he visited Bobirwa region after being urged to do so both by President Dr Masisi through the Foreign Affairs minister and President Mnangagwa, for him to have first hand information about the situation. ends