Operation Kgomo-Khumo family arrest grips Lerala
Pini Bothoko | Tuesday October 24, 2023 06:00
The trio stood accused after being caught red-handed with meat from two suspected stolen cattle. Arrested by the police on October 17, 2023, at their Lerala residence after being found in possession of carcasses of bovines, Ogaufi Gareope, 63, his fiancé Moipei Gabatshele, 61, and their son Gomolemo Malapela faced charges of stealing and slaughtering two cows on October 15 at Bobuakwena cattle posts.
The arrest led the police to their farm in Bobuakwena, where more carcass parts and biltong were discovered. The court remanded the trio in custody and is set to appear for mention on October 27. Botswana Police Service spokesperson, Assistant Commissioner Dipheko Motube revealed that Lerala has been identified as a hot spot for stock theft.
“We have since established that there is a syndicate of young unemployed men specialising in stock theft in Lerala village. These young men spend most of their time idling in cattle posts and lands in the outskirts of Lerala village looking for livestock to pounce on, slaughter and sell their meat to butcheries or street vendors in Palapye,” he revealed. Motube added the syndicate has been terrorising farmers in the Tswapong area evidenced by people’s turn up to witness the process of their cases at the village customary court.
"We have restored happiness to the people of Lerala village who were even afraid of some of the notorious stock theft criminals. Every court appearance, residents come in large numbers, something which shows that they have been looking forward to their arrests. Stock theft in the area is difficult to contain as we continue to arrest suspects despite the recent strings of arrests that we even made public on our Facebook page," he stated. Highlighting the profitability of stock theft, Motube explained that the thieves often have kraals in their lands or cattle posts, where they slaughter stolen cattle before transporting the meat to the lucrative market in Palapye.
The demand for meat, especially in Palapye, contributes to the allure of stock theft as a lucrative venture. "Like we had wanted to establish their market, we have since discovered that they slaughter cattle because they know that the demand for meat is high amongst butcheries and street vendors are popularly known as bo-Mmaseapei. Meat is eaten every day and those vendors never get short of meat. These vendors are found by the roadside selling cooked food and in front of bars, clubs selling meat throughout," Motube said.