26 May 2026

Minister of Justice and Correctional Services, Mr Nelson Ramaotwana says government is considering the introduction of electronic monitoring bracelets for repeat offenders as part of efforts to curb escalating crime, particularly stock theft, which continues to threaten the country’s livestock industry.

Mr Ramaotwana revealed that the proposed electronic wristbands would assist authorities in monitoring suspects who are granted bail but allegedly continue committing stock theft-related offences while awaiting trial.

The minister made the remarks during the Kang Farmers Association Pitso held under the theme: Projecting Cattle Herd to 5 Million, Advancing Justice, Combating Stock Theft in Botswana.

Farmers at the gathering expressed concern over increasing incidents of stock theft in the district and across the country, arguing that many accused persons were repeatedly granted bail and continued engaging in criminal activities.

Responding to the grievances, Mr Ramaotwana said his ministry would engage counterparts in South Africa to explore how the use of electronic monitoring systems could best be implemented in the country.

He noted that stock theft continued to undermine government’s efforts to increase the national cattle herd in line with the President’s call for farmers to grow the herd to five million cattle.

Mr Ramaotwana explained that the law already provided room for tougher action against habitual offenders.

He said provisions under revised legislation empowered magistrates to deny bail to perpetual repeat offenders, adding that the responsibility now rested with prosecutors and magistrates to ensure the law was effectively enforced.

“All that is left is to identify who is not doing their job,” he said, noting that in Kang approximately seven repeat offenders were currently out on bail while awaiting trial.

He argued that such suspects should remain in custody until their cases were concluded, stating that repeat offenders were frustrating government’s vision of increasing the national herd and strengthening the agricultural sector.

The minister further advised farmers that complainants also had the right to approach the courts and submit affidavits requesting that certain accused persons be denied bail where circumstances justified such an action.

In another development, Mr Ramaotwana said the revised legislation to allowed both complainants and accused persons to provide DNA samples for livestock in stock theft investigations.

He said the measure was expected to simplify court proceedings and strengthen evidence in such cases.

Mr Ramaotwana admitted that the country was currently experiencing an increase in stock theft cases, a development that had contributed to a growing backlog before the courts.

According to the minister, some magistrates were presently limited in the types of criminal cases they could preside over due to jurisdictional constraints.

To address the challenge, he said government was reviewing the jurisdiction of magistrates to enable more judicial officers to handle serious criminal matters, including stock theft cases.

He also revealed plans to establish specialised courts dedicated to stock theft matters in an effort to speed up trials and reduce case backlog.

At the same time, the minister issued a stern warning to butchery owners allegedly involved in stock theft syndicates.

He cautioned that existing laws allowed for the revocation of licences belonging to businesses found guilty of collaborating with stock thieves.

Mr Ramaotwana said under the current Stock Theft Act, courts could order the forfeiture of business licences and confiscation of vehicles used in the commission of stock theft offences.

The minister further encouraged farmers to establish crime prevention committees and strengthen collaboration with similar structures across the country.

He said such partnerships would help improve information sharing and tracking of stolen livestock across different regions.

Mr Ramaotwana also challenged farmers in the Kang area to significantly increase their livestock numbers from the current estimated 78 000 cattle to about 780 000.

He assured farmers that government remained committed to closing loopholes and addressing obstacles affecting growth within the livestock sector.

The minister noted that government had identified agriculture as a key sector with the potential to create more jobs across various value chains.

However, he said the recent outbreak of Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) had negatively affected progress towards that goal. He added that cattle rustling was among the factors contributing to the spread of the disease, further threatening the livestock industry and rural livelihoods.

Responding to growing calls for stock theft cases to be tried in customary courts, Mr Ramaotwana explained that such cases were regarded as serious criminal offences and therefore required formal legal procedures.

Farmers at the meeting had appealed for stock theft cases to be tried in customary courts and, where that was not possible, called for legislation to be reviewed to deny bail to repeat stock theft offenders. ENDS