17 Dec 2023

 Farmers along the Botswana and South Africa border have been warned against their livestock crossing the boundary because of the outbreak of Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) in South Africa.

Addressing kgotla meetings in Tlhareseleele and Ramatlabama last December 14, Director of Veterinary Services, Dr Kefentse Motshegwa said the disease was likely to spread to Botswana if farmers did not take precautionary measures.

He urged them to keep their eyes on their cattle all day and to kraal them at night so that they did not get the opportunity to cross to South Africa as it had been happening in the past.

He advised them to ensure that their livestock had enough water and feed in kraals as they would have no reason to travel long distances. 

Dr Motshegwa also urged farmers to brand and ear tag their livestock, adding that unbranded cattle would be regarded as stray animals.

Also, he informed farmers that their cattle, which would be identified in South Africa would not be allowed to return and would be killed and owners compensated P700 per cow.

He also informed them that veterinary officers would regularly test livestock for FMD, especially those along the border. 

Dr Motshegwa urged all stakeholders to work together to ensure that the disease did not spread to Botswana.

He noted that FMD would negatively affect the economy  and that livestock prices would drop as well as some countries boycotting Botswana beef.

Good Hope District Commissioner (DC), Mr Rapetse Mathumo said FMD could negatively affect lives and that farmers needed to work together to ensure that the disease did not spread to Botswana.

Mr Mathumo also urged farmers to ensure that their family members and relatives did not cross to South Africa at ungazetted areas as they could bring the disease to Botswana.

The DC also pleaded with farmers to ensure that the fence dividing the two countries was not vandalised after its construction.

For his part, Kgosi Mosowabudi Letshikgwana of Tlhareseleele complained about the destruction of the border fence by thieves,  and said they stole cattle in Botswana and drove them to South Africa.

He urged farmers to take care of their animals so that they did not cross the border fence. 

Kgosi Letshikgwana said they had a team that patrolled the border fence and repaired it where it had been vandalised.

He requested government to assist them with equipment and material that they would use for repairs.

Kgosi Johane Leshomo of Ramatlabama said their area was close to South Africa and that the disease could easily spread to Botswana. He requested residents to follow all precautionary measures to avoid spreading the disease to Botswana.

Residents of both villages thanked the officials for having acted swiftly before the disease could spread to Botswana. However, they decried the poor state of the border fence, saying their cattle moved freely between the two countries due to shortage of water and pasture.

Residents also noted that cattle from other districts were present in their area as there were no fences in-between. ends