Kgomo-Khumo causes panic
Pini Bothoko | Monday May 23, 2022 04:33
Farmers have been encouraged to produce more cattle in order to take advantage of the beef export market but killing their cattle out of panic will not help the situation. The police have raised a concern against the alleged panic amongst some farmers reported to be killing cattle with multiple branding to avoid police trouble as the Kgomo-khumo anti-stock operation deepens in Boteti area.
The Botswana Police Service (BPS) public relations officer, assistant commissioner Dipheko Motube has pleaded with farmers not to panic because the police presence is meant to bring back their confidence in farming. Motube stated that for a while, cattle rustling has caused great sorrow to farmers in Botswana especially in rural communities who largely depend on agriculture for living. He said the operation’s aim is meant to curb the scourge not cause panic. “Farmers should not panic because Kgomo-Khumo anti-stock operation police team’s presence is for their sake as long as they are on the right side of the law. The operation is meant to curb the scourge because cattle farming has been and remains the livelihood of a Motswana,” Motube said. He further explained that as the police, they understand that older cattle are bound to have been owned by more than two people hence plead with farmers not to panic and kill their multiple branded beasts as alleged.
“We have received reports of ignorance amongst some farmers alleged to be killing their cattle just because they have multiple brands. It is normal for an older cow to have two or more brands and we understand. If you have not done anything wrong you should not panic,” explains Motube. Motube added that cattle rearing has the potential to improve the lives of Batswana and they do not want to see farmers killing their livestock out of ignorance. He revealed that stock theft is currently bad in the Boteti area as zero tooth animals are being mostly targeted by organised criminal syndicates.
He added that their plan is to identify stock theft syndicates in Boteti area, identify hot spots and their market and disturb all actions of stock theft networks. Moreover, Motube disclosed that their plan is to profile stock theft syndicates, arrest the perpetrators and bring them before justice. “I am pleading with farmers to brand their calves to curb stock theft because they have established that thieves have the habit of targeting unbranded beasts. Some farmers have abandoned their animals, they barely visit their cattleposts and their herdsmen can go for months without getting paid and as such they do not put more effort into their duties,” he said.
Contrary to Motube’s remarks, Rakops headman, Seane Tatolo said farmers alleged to be killing cattle just because they have multiple brands know that they acquired them illegally. “If you are not guilty there is no need to panic. I suspect that the people reported to be killing cattle just because they have multiple brands know that they stole them. Stock theft remains a concern in Rakops and the surrounding areas and the said stolen cattle have multiple brands and scars hence the panic,” Tatolo said.
Kgosi Tatolo said young farmers who have failed school are the perpetrators because they own farms whilst unemployed and have not inherited them. He further expressed a worry that some parents condone such acts because their children own cattle and have mixed them with theirs in the same kraal but they do not disclose such acts. “Parents should not condone crime,” Tatolo said, expressing a worry that just young people suddenly have riches of horses, small stock and cattle without a trace of such ownership.