23 Jun 2022

Zimbabwe will put up security measures similar to Botswana’s on their side of the border in an effort to fight rampant cross-border crime between the two SADC countries, Zimbabwe Republic Police commissioner general has said. 

Speaking at the Botswana/Zimbabwe joint meeting of security forces Wednesday in Mabolwe, commissioner general Tandabantu Matanga said the government of Zimbabwe had directed his country’s police to tighten security along the border with Botswana. 

“As soon as we get finances all the security requirements will be put in place,” he said. 

Commissioner General Matanga said the instruction followed Botswana-Zimbabwe bi-national commission that was held in Victoria Falls February. 

The two countries’ presidents had prior to that sent two fact finding missions to Greater Bobonong which has been a hotspot of cattle rustling. 

These were a presidential commission of inquiry commonly known as the Gabriel Seeletso commission, appointed by President Mokgweetsi Masisi, and a visit to the area by Zimbabwe High Commissioner to Botswana, Mr. Thomas Mandigora at the bidding of his country’s President. The two countries discussed the issue to finality at the Victoria Falls meet. 

“The two heads of states directed that the police from both countries deploy enough security measures along the border to put an end to the rampant cross-border livestock theft,” said Mr Matanga. 

He said their joint meeting was to allow Zimbabwe to inspect and benchmark against measures that Botswana Police had put in place thereafter. 

While he conceded that there was almost zero security on the Zimbabwean side of the border, Commissioner General Matanga said that they would emulate Botswana’s strategies. 

Amongst several other strategies that they would borrow from Botswana, was establishment of nine police base camps along the border. 

“It is incumbent upon me to ensure that there is security on the Zimbabwe side of the border…we have visited and patrolled the Botswana side of the border and we discovered that our side has no patrol vehicles, no roads along the border, no border fence…” said Mr Matanga. 

He said his country would also establish kraals where recovered livestock would be kept while awaiting repatriation. 

He added that to succeed in their efforts the police must shun corruption, as it fueled crime. In the same vein community support for the police was key, he said. 

For his part, Botswana Police acting commissioner, Mr Phemelo Ramakorwane said President Dr Mokgweetsi Masisi instructed the police to increase base camps along Botswana/Zimbabwe border by April 2022, and they had already done that. 

He said the Zimbabwe Republic Police commissioner general would, after inspecting the said base camps report to President Mnangagwa. He too would likewise visit Zimbabwe upon completion of their base camps, to inspect their interventions. 

The acting police commissioner explained that they were not giving feedback from the Seeletso presidential commission of inquiry, as President Dr Masisi would deliver it to the farmers himself. 

Mabolwe, Semolale and Gobojango councillor, Mr Doctor Makwati advised for Botswana Police to also request the assistance of Botswana Defence Force. 

Mr Makwati also called for the base camps to be permanent, and staffed with security personnel who were familiar with the terrain and could easily detect, track and investigate criminals. 

The councilor commended the government of Zimbabwe for its plan to build stolen livestock exhibit kraals. 

He also appealed for aerial patrol of the border. Ends