16 Jan 2014

Farmers in the South East District, along the border with South Africa, have been warned against increasing cases of stock theft.

Assistant Superintendent Tlhageng Rantabe of Woodhall Police Station in Lobatse sounded the warning bells during a kgotla meeting addressed by the MP for South East South, Mr Odirile Motlhale on January 14.

Asst Supt Rantabe said the police had been receiving increasing reports from farmers whose livestock were suspected to be in South Africa. He said it was regrettable that most of the reports were made late, which slowed progress that the police could have made to arrest the thieves.

In some cases, he said, farmers took up to two weeks to report stock theft to the police. Asst Supt Rantabe’s comments were prompted by comments from residents that the police were not doing enough to address cases of cross border stock theft in the district.

Mr Omphemetse Mhaphi complained that cattle rustlers were stealing livestock into South Africa and he blamed the police for not using the services of Interpol to retrieve the livestock.

Mr Motlhale had earlier told residents that although crime statistics were generally going down, cases of stock theft and rape continued to be a concern.

He urged residents to discriminate against rapists, saying it humiliates victims. He said the constituency  must not be conducive for rapists. He pleaded with residents to stand up against rapists. ENDS