17 Jun 2023

Two Bokaa men were on Friday arraigned before Kopong Customary Court on a single count of stealing livestock.

The duo  Mogomotsi Maabong (57) Bokaa and  Shima Motsumo (45) both from Bokaa are remanded in custody and will appear again before Kopong Customary Court on June 28. The accused persons were arrested by police on Thursday following a tip off.

In an interview, Botswana Police Spokesperson, Assistant Commissioner Dipheko Motube said  duo were alleged to have stolen seven cattle from their grazing pastures at Sebele farm in Gaborone on June 5.

He said out of seven stolen cattle, two were slaughtered while three weaners were sold to Golden Springs feedlot in Rasesa while two were missing.

Assistant commissioner Motube further stated that cattle theft was rampant in farms around Kgaphamadi, Sebele,Tlhape, Rasiti and Block 8 in Gaborone.

He said since the beginning of the year, at least 20 cattle had been stolen. He said thieves had discovered a huge market of beef from butcheries, to informal caterers on the streets to feedlots hence stock theft was on the rise.

Stolen cattle from these areas he said were sold in Mogoditshane, Gaborone and Mochudi. Assistant commissioner Motube also said since Kgomokhumo operation was in full swing, they were not going to leave any stone unturned. He commended government for resolving to have stock theft cases heard at Customary Courts. The new development is intended to speed up conviction of perpetrators.

In an interview Mr Kewakae Kewakae, chairperson of Emang-ka-dinao Morafe, said Kopong farmers formed a stock theft prevention committee after they realised that their cattle were stolen in huge numbers and sold in Kgatleng district.

He said theystarted  night patrols since cattle thieves tracked and slaughtered them in the middle of the night. He said they were delighted that Kgomokhumo programme had been revived.

Mr France Seile, a committee member expressed his frustrations saying although police advised that they should keep cattle in kraals, it was not helping the situation instead it made them an easy target.

“Mme jaaka re ditlhatlhetse jaana re ba direla tiro motlhofo, ke bolaetswe kgomo ga sala ditlhako fela,” he said with aguish in his voice. He therefore suggested that Kgomokhumo should help with patrols at night. BOPA