11 Mar 2026

The Bobirwa regiment’s vigilance and teamwork will contribute to government’s goal of effectively fighting Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) and combating cross-border stock theft.

This was said by Acting Minister of Lands and Agriculture, Dr Edwin Dikoloti during the handover of Mmadikgaka Veterinary Camp to the Bobirwa regiment, which has been  maintaining the cordon fence along the Shashe River to control movement of animals between Botswana and Zimbabwe.

The camp will be used by the regiments who have been maintaining the veterinary cordon fences in the Bobirwa District. Dr Dikoloti was optimistic that regular maintenance of the cordon fence by the regiment would make a difference.

“You have shown extraordinary commitment and quick action in the face of adversity. This swift response will not only protect your livestock but also ensure the well-being of the entire agricultural sector,” he said.

He stated that community-based approaches, such as mephato, complement existing sustainable land management initiatives, including those backed by the Green Climate Fund, Ecosystem-Based Adaptation and the Migration Plan implemented in Bobirwa and other areas.

He further commended farmers and the community in Zone 7 area for the swift response in combating the spread of FMD. Dr Dikoloti said the recurrence of FMD outbreaks remained high, primarily driven by persistent challenges such as illegal cross-border movement of livestock and people, and crucially, poor livestock management practices.

Dr Dikoloti further shared that government considered the current FMD threat as an emergency that had the potential to become a national disaster, considering the rapid spread of the disease across Southern Africa. He said FMD had the potential to devastate the national economy and livelihoods emanating from the high costs of control measures.

Dr Dikoloti said it was for that reason that the National FMD Command Centre was established to ensure inter-ministerial coordination. He added that the FMD response plan had been approved with a budget of P97 million for immediate implementation of short-term measures such as vaccines, repair of the cordon fence and other related activities.

For his part, Kgosi Phillip Tamocha of Robelela, expressed gratitude for government’s commitment in efforts to fight the spread of FMD. He said Robelela and Tshokwe communities had long felt the impact of the disease. Therefore, he was hopeful that the camp would help in the FMD fight.

For his part, Minister of Local Government and Traditional Affairs, Mr Ketlhalefile Motshegwa, who is also a Member of Parliament for Mmadinare appreciated the role traditional leaders in Robelela and Tshokwe played in combating the spread of FMD.

He said it was commendable that these communities were actively collaborating and making significant efforts to augment the initiatives put forth by government, thereby ensuring both economic stability and the continued growth of agricultural practices

He said livestock rearing had historically been the foundation of the economies in the communities of Tshokwe and Robelela, and the tradition not only sustained local livelihoods but also played a crucial role in preserving cultural heritage. BOPA