27 Feb 2022

President Dr Mokgweetsi Masisi and Zimbabwe’s Dr Emmerson Mnangagwa have agreed to establish as a matter of urgency a joint ministerial committee for coordinating efforts aimed at  combating cross-border livestock rustling.

At the end of the week-long third Botswana-Zimbabwe Bi-National Commission in Victoria Falls Friday, the two presidents resolved that concerted efforts were necessary to address the long-standing problem.

“It is pleasing that we have managed to establish a specific joint framework between Botswana and Zimbabwe to facilitate and harmonise our efforts against livestock rustling.

In addition, we have agreed to establish a joint committee, comprising all government agencies of the two countries that are represented at the affected areas,” Dr Masisi said in his concluding remarks.

Describing the committee’s establishment as a positive step, he said it would coordinate efforts to combat livestock rustling as well as other cross-border crimes.

He said the committee could serve as a launch pad for a more concerted region-wide cattle rustling fighting efforts.

“Furthermore, since the issue of livestock rustling is not just a problem between Botswana and Zimbabwe, we have agreed to initiate a process towards the development of a regional instrument on combating livestock rustling,” President Masisi revealed.

Such a move would assist in fostering regional cooperation in livestock rustling and related cross-border crime eradication efforts through enhanced joint operations, capacity building and exchange of information, he said.

President Dr Mnangagwa announced Zimbabwe’s donation of 50 000 doses of Sinopharm COVID-19 vaccine as well as medical oxygen equipment to Botswana. Ends