02 Aug 2022

Members of Parliament on Monday rejected an urgent motion by Nkange MP, Dr Never Tshabang, seeking to request government to address cattle rustling between Maitengwe and the Zimbabwean border.

In tabling his motion Dr Tshabang  requested government to combat cattle rustling activities occurring between Maitengwe and the Zimbabwe border which is keeping residents of Goshwe, Dagwi, Changate and Maitengwe highly terrified and unsettled as they lose their livestock to armed cattle rustling syndicates.

This he said has  left  many families poverty stricken and necessitating government to view the situation as an emergency requiring urgent attention.”

Justifying the motion, Dr Tshabang said there was an influx of cattle rustlers along the border hence the need for government’s urgent intervention. He said even though he appreciated joint efforts by the two countries, the rate at which helpless residents along the border were still losing their cattle to armed rustlers was a concern. 

He requested for tight security deployed around the Bobirwa area.

“It is necessary to request the government, through the Minister of Defence and Justice, to look at this issue as an urgent matter for residents to be assisted promptly, and to make it clear how the government intends to assist farmers,” he said.

He said the border fence between Goshwe and Maitengwe gate was long yet with few patrolling officers. He noted that some parts of the fence was also not intact and the maintenance was inadequate, making it easy for thieves to take the cattle across the border.

“We know there are veterinary camp stations along the border, but they are not enough hence it is necessary to augment them,” he said.

Additionally, Dr Tshabang said there was poor communication network and difficult terrain in the area, which hampered efforts by farmers to seek help timely. He also noted that residents were bound to be overpowered by armed cattle rustlers.

A total of 30 MPs voted against the motion while 16 were in the affirmative. Ends