16 Oct 2025

The staggering reports of cross border livestock theft involving sheep, goats and cattle valued at P910,700 in the greater Southern Region highlights a persistent challenge for the community in the border villages.

This staggering figures recorded between June and August 2025, aggregates the estimated market value of stolen animals across multiple incidents, underscoring the economic strain on local farmers who rely on livestock for their livelihoods.

In an interview, Station Commander of Ramatlabama Police Station, Superintendent Mary Baabina said the livestock theft and rustling cases were concentrated in eight vulnerable settlements near the Botswana-South Africa border in the Southern District.

The affected villages included Phitshane-Photlokwe, Papatlo, Ditlharapa, Phihetshwane, Marojane, Rakhuna, Logagane, and Ramatlabama. Supt Baabina stated that her station has implemented various interventions aimed at curbing stock theft.

“These measures included intensifying patrols during both day and night, specifically along border lines and at known ambush spots used by perpetrators,” said Supt Baabina.

Collaborating with stakeholders such as the Botswana Defence Force (BDF), Supt Baabina emphasised the importance of strategic efforts like house-to-house campaigns. She said campaigns help to sensitise farmers on effective measures to safeguard their livestock against theft.

Additionally, Supt Baabina said they have engaged their intelligence office to gather information about offenders, which has facilitated the apprehension of thieves.

The establishment of farmers’ committees (mephato) in each village has proven beneficial as the groups assist with patrols and alerting the community about suspicious activities.

Ms Baabina noted that the aforementioned effort has fostered strategic ties with farmers’ committees across the border in South Africa’s North West region, allowing for easier access to information regarding perpetrators.

“One of the key successes of the partnership between the Botswana and South African police has been the effective flow of information on stock theft between the two countries. This collaboration has led to coordinated operations at the border, with plans for a joint operation scheduled for this week,” said Supt Baabina.

To further protect their assets, Ms Baabina urged farmers to consider installing surveillance cameras on their properties to combat the ongoing threat of theft, which significantly affects their financial stability.

Unfortunately, Supt Baabina said the recent outbreak of Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) in South Africa complicated the situation. She explained that due to a travel ban on animals crossing the border, rightful owners were unable to reclaim stolen livestock after recovery efforts.

The community remains hopeful that these initiatives would lead to a decrease in stock theft and safeguard their livelihoods. ENDS