President Masisi Receives Cross-border Stock Theft Commission Report

” If not addressed timeously, the rampant cross-border livestock smuggling in some Bobirwa villages has the potential to affect Botswana-Zimbabwe bilateral relations”

These words were a warning from President Dr Mokgweetsi Masisi when receiving the commission of enquiry into livestock theft report in Gaborone yesterday.

He disclosed that the Zimbabwean high commissioner was expected to visit the region in order to appreciate the commission’s report before presenting it to his government
Dr Masisi said livestock rustling could also have a devastating effect on people’s standards of living.

He applauded commission members for accepting the appointment and effectively serving the nation. Commission chairperson Mr Gabriel Seeletso said the enquiry had confirmed livestock rustling in the Bobirwa area along the Botswana-Zimbabwe border.

He said the commission had also established that the crime was encouraged by the deteriorating economic situation in Zimbabwe as well as the two countries’ political issues.

Mr Seeletso said the commission held consultative meetings with stakeholders including residents, government officials, farmers’ associations as well as businesses to establish the extent of the problem.

“The matter has been a concern to the people of Bobirwa since the 1980s,” said Seeletso, noting that all stakeholders applauded President Masisi and his government for his efforts to address the issue.

President Masisi appointed the commission in September giving it three months to carry out the task and present a written report. Some of its terms of reference were to establish the problem of livestock rustling in Bobirwa Constituency along the Botswana-Zimbabwe border and determine the extent of the problem.

They also included engaging Zimbabwean high commissioner as a stakeholder in the matter and making appropriate and lasting recommendations to address the problem.

BOPA.