Cross border crime impoverishes farmers
Nkange constituency residents and farmers in villages along the Botswana– Zimbabwe border line continue to be impoverished by cattle rustlers.
According to Defence, Justice and Security minister Kagiso Mmusi, 37 cattle, seven goats and four donkeys were reported stolen and smuggled into Zimbabwe during the 2017/ 2018 period. During the same period, 43 more cattle bearing Botswana brand marks were recovered in Cholocho area, Zimbabwe. Mmusi was responding to Member of Parliament for Nkange Dr. Never Tshabang who contended that 75 cattle and 30 goats belonging to Maitengwe residents were stolen during the 2017/ 18 period. Minister Mmusi said although they were not initially reported stolen in Botswana, they were ultimately identified by Batswana and returned to the owners. Dr. Tshabang had asked the Minister whether the ministry intends to increase security patrols and how he intends to assist victims of such cross border crimes. Mmusi confirmed knowledge of cross border crime in the Maitengwe area. He reported that between 2017 and 2020, Botswana Police Service handled a total of 11 cross- border cases. He said seven of these cases involved stock theft, one theft of motor vehicle, two break- ins and one common theft. As for assisting victims Mmusi said that Botswana Police Service has since augmented patrols along the border to deter crossborder crime. He said the impending completion of the Maitengwe Police Station is also expected to help improve patrols along the border. Farmers’ committees and community clusters in the area also play a significant role in preventing cross border crime. Mmusi explained that once a report is received, the Botswana Police Service carries out investigations until the case is finalised. Where issues of compensation arise, they are handled by the relevant authorities.