Dikoloti ropes in prisoners in fight against FMD
Innocent Selatlhwa | Tuesday June 2, 2026 10:22
Acting Minister of Agriculture Dr Edwin Dikoloti revealed the plan during a Kgotla meeting he addressed in Otse yesterday.
'Deputy Permanent Secretary for Livestock Farming Dr Kefentse Motshegwa has started engaging with the Prisons Officials as we intend to use skilled prisoners to assist us build the containment fence,' he said.
Dikoloti told Balete of Otse that they had now resorted to the containment of FMD in the infected zone as the most effective way to attack the disease head-on by closing it up in affected areas. He said the new proposed fence will pass close to Otse and Kanye.
In anticipation of the proposed fence, Dikoloti pleaded with farmers to play their role in being vigilant and assisting veterinary officers in their duties.
'Waiting for a fence to be erected can delay us in fighting the disease. I call on you to start already by using tree branches to close gaps at the border and also to start the containment,' he said.
The minister pleaded with Batswana to follow the set protocols and report whenever they suspected wrongdoing. He deplored that, as it is, people are not cooperating.
'It is unfortunate that some farmers do not even want to cooperate with our officers, as some do not let them into their farms for inspection. Others, as they learn of our plans to contain the disease, drive them out of the said containment area,' he said.
The minister called on Batswana to behave accordingly to ensure that life can return to normalcy on time.
For his part, the Director of Veterinary, Dr Kobedi Segale, pleaded with Batswana to desist from stealing gates and poles as they continue to fix them.
He further pleaded with Batswana to combine all means of protection, including keeping their livestock in kraals and herding them to avoid them getting into the red zone.
For his part, Kgosi Mothusi Tseetse called on the minister to employ drones to help monitor the movement of animals and people, especially along the border.
'The use of police and soldiers is not efficient, as these thugs study their movements and can evade them. It is therefore only right that we employ high technology drones to be able to arrest the situation,' he said. Dr Segale assured that they do have drones and said more would be employed.
Members of the public also shared their frustrations, with most sharing that they witnessed a lot of non-compliance by farmers and consumers who continue to defy the Disease Control Act.
FMD coordinator Dr Selolwane expressed shock following revelations by members of the public. He said the revelations that some farmers continue to live as if things are normal, it would end up badly.
'FMD can lead us to poverty. We cannot afford to have others doing the opposite when fighting the same enemy. Please let us keep our cattle wherever they are. If you want to move your cattle, get in touch with us so that we can assess and advise accordingly,' he said.