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Stock theftrife inSemolaleArticle: Theresa MokgwathiPhotos: Tshepiso KhethiweAs you drive around and into thesmall village of Semolale, 48kilometers North of Bobonong,one’s eye hardly meets the sight of anylivestock. Stock theft in Semolale is onthe rise and the perpetrators are not onlythe locals but also from neighbouringZimbabwe. “Our statistics showthat a number of reported cases aredone by Zimbabweans but we alsohave reported cases of locals,” saidGaodirele Motlhagodi.Po l i c e S t a t i o n C o m m a n d e r,Motlhagodi of Semolale indicatedthat in 2010 there were a number ofstock theft cases reported into theiroffice. Most of the cases revolvedaround cattle’s from Botswana beingcrossed illegally to Zimbabwe byZimbabweans. He said these incidentsusually happen during the night andin the early mornings.In the first quarter of the year 2010eighty-seven (87) stock theft caseswere recorded, being 36 donkeys,45 cattle and six small stocks. In thesecond quarter, 74 stock theft caseswere reported, with 37 being smallstock, 36 cattle and one donkey, in thethird quarter they received a total of 56cases, with 38 donkeys, 18 cows andMotlhagodi said people do not lookafter their livestock; a thing he saidexacerbated stock-theft. He said theBobirwa area has a lot of livestockand a good number of those are straycattle, noting that stray livestock areeasy target for thieves. Such livestockin most cases find their way acrossthe Shashe River, which separatesBotswana and Zimbabwe.The Station Commander furthersaid together with members of theBotswana Defence Force (BDF) theyfrequently patrol the boarder ina bit to curb cross-border stocktheft. Motlhagodi also hailed thegood working relationship with theirZimbabwean counterparts on issuesof cross border stock theft.He complained about farmerswho take time to report their missinglivestock as well as those who fail tocollect them from the police.Motlhagodi emphasised theimportance of branding, urging farmersto brand their calves immediatelywhen they are mature enough. Heappealed to farmers to look after theirlivestock to curb stock theft in theirvillage.ABOVE:Gaodirele MotlhagodiLEFT:Branding helps curb stocktheftMarch 2011 6
BMC export monopoly endsArticle: Goabaone Abby MolapisiPhotos: Gabotsoswe MogapiBotswana Meat Commission (BMC)is likely to face stiff competitiononce its export monopoly isrescinded.Mr Philip Wright, a member of theHainaveld Farmers Association saidthe amendment of Section 21 of theBMC Act, would allow farmers to targetneglected markets.The BMC, he says failed to market beefproperly as it only concentrated on theEuropean Union (EU) market.Minister of Agriculture, Mr ChristiaanDe Graaff is to table before Parliamentan amendment bill of the Act this year.Wright argues that BMC failed topenetrate other markets although onlya few tonnes of beef go to EU.Farmers complain that EU’s toughconditions make it difficult for beefproducers to supply them.“They say they want lean meat. Whatis lean meat?” he asked rhetorically.For his part, Dr David Falepau, BMCChief Executive Officer (CEO) says theabbatoir is not worried as it is the onlylegitimate export abattoir in Botswana.He says farmers will still have to useits facilities to slaughter for export, as itwill take a while for farmers to set up astandardized abattoir similar to theirs(BMC).BMC is also sure of supply of animalsbecause exportation of live animals willnot be permitted even under the newdispensation.Exportation of live animals, BMCargues, will be tantamount toexportation of jobs.Permanent Secretary (PS), Ministryof Agriculture (MoA), Dr MicusChimbombi said BMC will have tofind a new growth opportunity. Hesaid amendment of the Act will allowanyone to export processed meatproducts.This according to the PS will create anenvironment conducive for the growthof the agricultural sector.“The intention is not to kill BMC buton the other hand we do not wantthe abattoir to stifle the growth of thesector.”Chimbombi said BMC is at anadvantage because it is an alreadyestablished exporting entity.According to the current BMC Act, noperson other than the Commission shallexport cattle or edible products fromBotswana, unless in possession of apermit in writing to do so issuedby the Minister.The Act also stipulatesthat no such permit shallbe issued without theconcurrence of theCommission or unless the Ministerdeclares by order published in theGazette, that it is clearly in the publicinterest to issue such permit without theconcurrence of the commission.Minister De Graaff had earlier toldthe BMC Board to be prepared for theproposed changes and to take advantageof the changes to improve performance.He said they should work as ateam,and that he wasdisappointedwith the factthat beforethere wasno teamw o r kwithin theboard.BMC products face competitionDr Falepau, the new CEO7March 2011 2011
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