Bobirwa farmers to be compensated post FMD
Following the rampant cattle rustling in the Bobirwa area that has been tormenting farmers for years, the government has finally taken a decision to assist victims of cross border livestock theft with livestock.
The development follows the completion of a Commission of Inquiry that probed cross boarder cattle rustling in Bobirwa area with some perpetrators reportedly being from neighbouring Zimbabwe. Recently, the Bobonong Member of Parliament (MP), Taolo Lucas asked the Minister of State President, Kabo Morwaeng the outcome of the Commission, when will it be made public and when the President will assist the victims like he had promised.
Responding to his question, Morwaeng stated that the affected farmers should expect the assistance as soon as the lifting of the restriction on movement of cloven hoofed animals imposed following the outbreak of the Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) is done.
“The affected farmers will be assisted with livestock and will choose from the following packages, eight cows (artificially inseminated), 10 female goats and one buck or 10 female sheep and one ram and three female donkeys and an intact male,” Morwaeng said.
Morwaeng further told Parliament that the recommendations of the commission provide a framework for dealing with loss of livestock to cross-border theft and incidents of cross-border theft in any part of the country will be assessed and assistance will be provided on a case by case basis.
He stated that Botswana and Zimbabwe have established a joint ministerial committee to coordinate implementation of decisions made by the government of both countries. In addition, he revealed that both countries will host a bi-national commission annually to deepen their relations and strengthen collaboration. Morwaeng said the report is still under consideration by the government and a decision will be made in due course whether to make it public or not.
However, Lucas said was worried that the list of those to be assisted with livestock reveals that many farmers have been left out of the compensation.
“All of the affected farmers should be assisted and one would hope that this package to be provided in Bobirwa will be made available as the scourge affects other Batswana living in border villages. Cross border livestock rustling remains a threat and I urge vigilance among farmers and law enforcement officers,” he said.
He further expressed concern on the delay about the report to be made public especially that cross border livestock rustling scourge has persisted for over 40 years and in the process impoverishing Babirwa. Lucas argued that the report should be made public so that the Babirwa and all interested stakeholders could appreciate the magnitude, impact and recommendations on the cross border livestock rustling scourge that has been tormenting them for years.
However, he said as an area MP he will continue to demand that the report of the commission be made public.
Early this year when addressing residents of Semolale village, President Mokgweetsi Masisi also revealed that the government has developed a digitalization project for the Botswana/ Zimbabwe cross border which will use technology to curb crime.
He added that drones will also be used to help in combating crime along the borderline.
Then, the President further stated that the livestock theft was caused by the deteriorating economic situation in Zimbabwe and to curb the situation, calls by countries on upliftment of sanctions on Zimbabwe have been made in an effort for recovery of Zimbabwean economy.