Five men were arrested and appeared before the Takatokwane Magistrate's Court yester on charges of stock theft.
Among the accused are Gideon Mpane, 42, Stephen Sethibe, 49, Patricia Mogorosi, 39, Aaron Setabo, 24, and Nicolas Leduma, 32. The alleged theft reportedly took place near Mokokomadi lands in the Kweneng Administrative District on April 22, according to the court reports. Acting together, the accused allegedly stole four cattle worth P20, 000, with the intention of permanently depriving the rightful owner of their property. In a statement provided by Superintendent Selebatso Mooketsi, the spokesperson for the Botswana Police Service, the suspects were caught red handed by Kgomo Khumo operatives.
Mooketsi elaborated: "Upon their arrest, the police established that the cattle had already been sold to a certain rancher." Furthermore, Mooketsi also disclosed that apart from the apprehended suspects, the police confiscated forged documents suspected to have been utilised in committing such offenses. "The police have since seized a stockpile of animal ear tags and forged livestock sales and registration documents suspected to have been used in the commission of similar offences," said Mooketsi. Mooketsi disclosed: "The five are also part of the suspects who are being investigated pertaining to 28 more cattle, which are under police custody." The accused individuals have been granted conditional bail, and their next court appearance is set for May 24, 2024.
