Farmer devastated as stray cow costs him 20 cattle
Mbongeni Mguni - Innocent Selatlhwa | Monday June 1, 2026 06:00
The village of fewer than 700 people, according to the last census, is part of Zone 11, the second-largest disease control zone, which covers an area larger than that of Portugal.
Othusitse Tsamaise is one of the devastated farmers who was fast pushed into poverty after his 20 cattle, his only source of income for himself, his family, and relatives, were gunned down in his presence as they were deemed potential carriers of FMD.
Speaking to this publication recently, Tsamaise said he is reeling in shock and still hopes he can get better compensation as he now wallows in poverty and depends on Ipelegeng for income.
“I discovered one of my breastfeeding cows walking in between the veterinary fences just near the border line. I went to take it out. “After that, I told some individuals what I had done. “Soon after, police officers approached me and arrested me. “It became apparent that one of those whose cattle had been killed had gone to report me. “They, together with veterinary officers, told me that my cattle were deemed infected and had to all be killed as one of them,” he said.
Under the protocols imposed after FMD was confirmed in Zone 11 on April 2, veterinary officials have issued kill orders for any cattle that stray into the red zone, an area between the cordon and the border fence, as well as the South African border. South Africa has been battling an FMD in most of its provinces since the beginning of the year.
Any cattle that stray into the red zone are deemed exposed and subject to elimination, according to the Department of Veterinary Services’ strict protocols. Zone 11 is the country’s most economically rich livestock region, boasting large communal and commercial herds, as well as the country’s main export abattoir, the Botswana Meat Commission, in Lobatse.
The disease was first detected at the secure Ramatlabama Artificial Insemination Laboratory and has since spread to other areas within the zone.
Tsamaise said all of his 20 beasts were shot and killed in his presence. This was taking the cow, which he retrieved from the red zone, back into the herd.
He said it pains him to relive those moments.
“Those cattle were my livelihood,” he told Mmegi, holding back his emotions. “I used them to take care of my family and take my children to school. I now have to look at Ipelegeng, where I have to skip some months without work. “My wife is also not working, and we cannot even afford insurance premiums.”
Tsamaise shared that he was initially sentenced to a year in prison, which the Kgosi later set aside. However, he had to pay a P5000 penalty, while in turn he received only P700 for each cow killed in compensation.
He laments that the cattle were never tested before their destruction.
The farmer, however, states that although he blames himself for what happened, he remains hopeful that the government could come to his rescue. He also wishes that members of the public who can assist him and his family could come forward.
Tsamaise endured a tough journey to build up his herd. He started with just one cow as a young boy, as payment from his former boss, the then Kgosi Tumelo of Mmakgori.
“He took me in as a young boy to help take care of his cattle. It was a long time ago, but I still remember that he came to fetch me from my uncle’s cattle post using a two-wheeled donkey cart. “He paid me P80.00 monthly for twelve months. One month I would get the money, another would be a contribution towards the cow,” he said.
Tsamaise said it was this cow that would start giving birth to many that would support his livelihood. He said that after the old man died, he went to Leporung with his cow and its female calves that would uplift his life.
“I benefited a lot from that cow. “I used this cow to get married, to build a house, take my children to school, and do a lot more. “It was never easy, but I strived. They have really killed me. I am devastated,” he said.
To make matters worse for the family, Tsamaise says his child’s hostel was burnt while she was at boarding school. The child is now languishing at home, further dimming the family’s hopes for success.
Tsamaise’s uncle, Jackson Tsamaise, said it was not just Othusitse who was devastated; the cattle helped Othusitse help them, as relatives and others. He said the government should restore his status and compensate him for his inability to feed his family, as Othusitse now has to depend on the unreliable Ipelegeng.
“It is painful for all of us as things are tough. One of his children recently lost all their clothes during a fire at a boarding school. “We can't even buy that child new shoes, and we are begging for anyone who can assist to come through for him,” he said.