Botswana, Serowe: Three (3) people (two men and a woman) aged between 46 and 50 appeared before Serowe Customary Court yesterday morning on 01/11/2023, facing charges of Stealing Stock.
The accused are Mothataonosi Gasethata, aged 46, of Dinokwane Ward; Orapeleng Oitatotse, aged 50, of Mannathoko Ward; and Kediemetse Kebaabetswe, aged 47, of Mhaswa Ward, all from Serowe.
The trio was arrested on 25/10/2023 in Serowe after failing to account for ten female goats found in their possession satisfactorily. The goats were suspected to have been stolen around Serowe District and were exchanged for male goats around Paje, Serowe, Thabala and Mogorosi villages.
The accused persons will be back in court on the 20th of November, 2023.
Police are concerned with a trend in which female goats are stolen from pastures in the surroundings of Serowe and exchanged for male goats, then later sold to individuals for slaughter and consumption with proper sale documentation.
Botswana Police Service would like to caution against such an arrangement as it constitutes a criminal offence under Section 3 (a) of the Stock Theft Act. If found guilty, one is liable to a penalty of between five (5) and twelve (12) years imprisonment.
Meanwhile, a 31-year-old Motswana man was yesterday (01/11/2023) convicted and sentenced to a 5- year prison term by Mosolotshane Customary Court for Stealing Stock.
The convict, Kenaope Keleemetse alias Zamalek of Sefako ward in Mosolotshane, was arrested by Kgomokhumo operatives on 18th of October 2023 at Mamphaleng Hills near Mosolotshane after being found in possession of a goat carcass which he failed to account for satisfactorily.
People are raising concern as this kind of incident is increasing in society; one of the local residents, Lesegonyana Ramakukumara, said, “Let’s help those who sleep and break into our houses; the work is causing problems. Well done.”