Botswana: Kanye Station Commander Superintendent Diataka Pitseetsile said No. 14 District (Kanye and surrounding areas) noted with concern the high number of accidents and fatalities caused by cattle, especially at night.
He was speaking on behalf of Officer Commanding No. 14 Senior Superintendent Bannetse Keakile this Friday (10/11/2023) at a workshop organised by Moshupa Police at Lotlhakane West for Ngwaketse farmers.
Superintendent Pitseetsile called farmers to ensure that their livestock was kraaled to prevent them from roaming on the roads and causing loss of life.
For his part, Robert Masibi, chairperson of J11 Southern Farmers Association, called for a strengthened partnership between the police and farmers in the fight against stock theft, highlighting that farmers’ involvement in this fight against the stock theft is crucial as the farming industry contributes immensely to the socio-economic growth of the country.
He urged farmers to brand their livestock for ease of identification and tracing.
Farmer Association head Robert Masibi expressed concern about the proliferation of make-shift kraals that are constructed in the bush by criminals for stock theft purposes, which include selling, slaughtering and illegal custody of stolen animals, stating that there was the need for the development and implementation of counteracting strategies.
Furthermore, he called farmers to regularly check on their livestock and not solely relegate the responsibility to farm workers.
He concluded by encouraging the attendants to revive their clusters and also motivated other farmers who were not yet members to join Farmer’s Associations as they were essential for combating stock theft.
Crime against Stock theft is increasing in Botswana. Last week, three men aged between 30 and 40, believed to be Batswana, were fatally shot in an exchange of fire with the members of the Botswana Police Service (S.S.G) early this morning (09/11/2023) in Mochudi.
Acting on a tip-off that the trio were planning a robbery, the office acted swiftly, and upon arrival at their residence, a shoot-out occurred. In the process, a police officer sustained gunshots and is receiving treatment at the hospital.
They are believed to be part of a syndicate involved in a series of robberies and stock thefts in Mochudi and surrounding areas.
The police have since recovered three (3) Rifles, one (1) Shotgun, a pistol, and a Revolver, together with an assorted of more than 100 live ammunition. The recovered items also consist of butchery equipment, knives, and axes suspected to have been stolen following a case in which a butchery was broken into.
Police preliminary investigations reveal that the recovered weapons were stolen during a robbery that occurred on 08/11/2023 in the Republic of South Africa.