Stock thieves wreak havoc in Palapye
Pini Bothoko | Monday November 21, 2022 06:00
The rampant stock theft in the area is said to be difficult to contain thus keeping the police on their toes and remains one of the greatest threats to the long-term sustainability of livestock production and farming in the vicinity.
The police have worriedly observed that stock thieves hang around grazing areas to rustle unbranded cattle, which are their chief target.
In an interview with Mmegi, Palapye Station Commander, Superintendent Molly Lebala-Moduke said they continue to arrest stock theft suspects and confiscate stolen beasts, indications that indeed stock theft has become a paying job for perpetrators.
Lebala-Moduke said through their investigations, they have established that there is a syndicate of livestock thieves targeting cattle when they have gone out to graze, slaughtering them and selling meat to butcheries and the informal sector. “Last year, from the July to September quarter, we recorded 13 cases of stock theft and compared to the same period this year we recorded 20 cases which reflects a massive increase. In October only this year we have recorded 19 cases as compared to 13 cases the same month last year.
This is a serious concern especially that we have been battling this scourge for years,” she said. The senior police officer added that on Tuesday they recorded two cases of stock theft from different syndicates. She said in the first incident they received a tip off of people who were seen burning something in a field at Maotokgonyana lands suspected to be burning a cow hide. “The police immediately rushed there and their investigations lead to the arrest of two men aged 34 respectively who when interrogated by the police they admitted to have killed a cow and burnt its hide.
The police couldn’t retrieve the meat as they had already sold it,” she said. She further stated that investigations into the matter are ongoing to locate the three other suspects who are still at large and establish their market. Furthermore, Lebala-Moduke said later that day they received another report that a man residing in Extension 3, Palapye was seen in possession of a slaughtered cow suspected to have been stolen.
She said on arrival at the crime scene, the police found the owner of the yard, a 38-year-old man in possession of two slaughtered cattle and arrested a 43-year-old man, the driver of a Corolla car who had just delivered the meat. “Moreover, the police’s investigations led to the arrest of two more suspects, a 43 and 58-year-old men who are currently in police custody helping the police with investigations.
Investigations on the matter are ongoing to locate the fifth suspect who is still at large,” she said. Lebala-Moduke said they have since established that the two cattle were stolen at Shalakwe cattle post and they are yet to locate the leathers of both cows. “Usually when we recover stolen stock’s skins the suspects would have destroyed the cattle’ brand mark.
We have been holding meetings with farmers partnering with farmers association to warn them about this scourge,” she said. She added to have since observed that some farmers’ lack of responsibility and accountability in branding and earmarking their cattle, worsen the problem and as a result the majority of them (farmers) end up losing their cattle because they cannot identify them. “We have been pleading with farmers to visit their cattle posts frequently and familiarise themselves with their livestock, pay their herdsmen on time in order to motivate them. As for unbranded beasts, being the zero teeth, we have encouraged farmers to make sure they brand their livestock to curb stock theft,” Lebala-Moduke said. She added that they have been doing inspections in butcheries and sensitise them about stock theft issues because it has been established that they are stock thieves’ market together with people who make business by selling cooked food.