06 Dec 2021

Zimbabweans accused of cross-border livestock rustling should be extradited to Botswana to face the full might of the law, farmers in Bobirwa region have pleaded.

The farmers premised their call on the allegations that some within the justice system in Zimbabwe were frustrating efforts to arrest, try and punish perpetrators.

The farmers believe that some in the police and administration of justice benefitted from the cross-border theft.

At an emotionally-charged kgotla meeting in Semolale Friday, where ambassador of Zimbabwe to Botswana, Mr Henry Mukonoweshuro sought to collect data on the alleged cross-border crime, speakers called for the arrest of the thieves and extraditing them to be tried in Botswana where they committed crime.

They also wanted crime syndicates bosses to face the wrath of the law. The farmers alleged there were three known syndicates’ leaders whose boys terrorised and caused havoc with knobkerries, matchets and pangas.

The armed assailants are reported to be merciless and ruthless in commission of their crime. The meeting also heard that in the past few weeks some thieves were spotted carrying a gun.

Some of the livestock owners called for a visit by Zimbabwe  President Emmerson Mnangangwa, arguing that the issue had escalated beyond the ambassador.

“Ever since the Zimbabweans started causing havoc to us we have never received any apologies from your government. Surely, you condone these criminal acts,” said Sir-Wonder Masebola of Semolale.

Mr Masebola said that although Botswana had deployed security personnel in the form of police officers and the army assisted by members of the regiments, Zimbabwe government had not tightened security on its side of the border.

“You see, majority of all these women gathered in this kgotla now are widowed because their husbands succumbed to ailments as heart attacks owing to losing all their livestock to your people,” Mr Masebola said to the ambassador.

Like others Mr Masebola believes that many people who lost their cattle to cross-border theft were impoverished and consequently suffered from high blood pressure.

“Time for action is now. We talked for over 40 years now,” said One Mr Moilwa Goboipewe

“Our sufferings may degenerate into mental health which may end up affecting our children,” said Mr Francisco Kgoboko.

Mr Kgoboko called for President Mnangagwa to address the affected farmers so he could make commitments towards assisting to find a solution to the crime.

“Had I the wings I would fly to Zimbabwe for a face to face meeting with President Mnangagwa where I would cry bucket tears before him as a show of our grave sufferings at the hands of his people,” said Ms Melitah Mmamalelala.

Ms Mmamalelala called on government to crack the whip on his security forces who are reportedly lax in discharging their duties. 

Ms Mmamalelala challenged Zimbabwean security forces to emulate their Botswana counterparts whom she extolled as hardworking and committed.

For his part, the ambassador acknowledged the ‘heartrending stories’ and argued that apologies would not put an end to the dogging problem.

In consonance with livestock owners, Mr Mukonoweshuro promised action.

“I feel your frustrations,” he said adding that he understood their ‘boiling tempers.’

Mr Mukonoweshuro together with some district leaders will tour the crime hot spots and recommend appropriate actions to President Mnangagwa. ends