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Farmers in Sepako village in Tutume District were reportedly attacked by cross-border cattle rustlers. Sepako village is 12 kilometres from the border fence between Botswana and Zimbabwe.
Information Arrival The Telegraph This suggests that the criminals have stolen about 100 cattle since 2023. The Sepako farmers own cattle pens in Semataphiri, an area about 10 kilometres from the border fence.
Some farmers who wished to remain anonymous said The Telegraph In an interview, he said cattle theft had become rampant since the government removed veterinary services guarding the border fence from the area in 2021.
“Veterinary Services staff are responsible for maintaining the border fence and keeping an eye out for potential risk of foot and mouth disease. Thieves from Zimbabwe have been terrorizing us ever since they left the area. Since the area is within a wildlife corridor, these criminals and elephants are damaging the fence,” the source said.
It is alleged that some cattle from Zimbabwe cross the border into the country, bringing with them the risk of foot and mouth disease (FMD). It is further alleged that some Zimbabwean cattle farmers deliberately drive their cattle to the Botswana side of the border to graze. They then bring these cattle back along with their own cattle.
“Whenever we track them, their trail leads us to Zimbabwe. Last month, another farmer lost 16 cattle. We are also worried about the hazard of foot-and-mouth disease from cattle coming from neighbouring countries. Perhaps the government should consider deploying soldiers in the area,” said one farmer.
Contacted for comment, Sepako village chief Kgosi Ramaditse confirmed that cross-border crime from Zimbabwe keeps them awake at night.
“It is true that around 100 cattle are missing and we mainly suspect that they were stolen by these criminals. I have already reported the matter to the police and other relevant authorities. We have agreed to meet the veterinary department so that a lasting solution can be found,” he said.
In accepting The Telegraph Last Wednesday, Nata police station assistant superintendent Bupelo Ntatiwa confirmed that there had been several cases of missing cattle in the area.
“At the moment, we have received reports of 49 cattle missing. The problem is that the border fence between the two countries has been breached by elephants as it is a wildlife corridor. Cattle from Zimbabwe have crossed into the country and are mixing with domestic cattle. Despite this, we are still investigating and in contact with our counterparts in Zimbabwe,” he said.
Ntatiwa said they met with village chiefs and farmers in Sepako last week and suggested they form groups to fight these crimes in another way. He also added that they are determined and the police will increase patrols.
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