11 Apr 2022

Nata police have warned herdmen who connive with criminals to steal livestock. on the pretext that they were not paid monthly wages to refrain from such acts.

In an interview with BOPA on Monday, Nata police acting station commander, Assistant Superintendent Lesego Ndebele said they had registered 12 cases of stock theft since February until to date.

Ast Supt Ndebele cautioned herdsmen involved in such criminal activities that police anti-stock theft team was  always on guard.

He explained that most cases involved herdsmen who connived with criminals to steal their employers’ livestock.

Assistant Superintendent Ndebele said that criminals took advantage of the bad terrain of Makgadikgadi pans, especially during the rainy period.

He also appealed to farmers to visit their cattle posts regularly, “failure to do so will give herdboys ample time to resort to stealing.”

Furthermore, he pointed out that following the recent announcement by Botswana Meat Commission (BMC) to purchase zero tooth animals, criminals were now targeting such cattle to steal.

He said should thieves  find that  one’s cattle were not branded, they would use their own brands before selling  them.

Therefore, Assistant Superintendent Ndebele emphasised the need for farmers to visit farms or cattle post regularly.

He said farmers should also ensure that herdboys were paid on timer on time.

Some of the apprehended herdsmen, he said had claimed that their employers go for months without paying them hence they sell their livestock without their knowledge to buy food.

Nonetheless, he said their stock theft team would remain in the area for indefinite time to attend   to the reported cases. ENDS