83 stock theft suspects arrested within one month
Following the re-launch of KgomoKhumo 8 Operation last month, Botswana Police has arrested 83 suspects so far.
Kgomokhumo is an anti-stock theft operation which aims to identify stock theft syndicates and profile them, identify market for stolen stock and identify hotspots to disrupt their illegal activities.
In an interview with The Midweek Sun, Botswana Police spokesperson, Assistant Superintendent, Selebatso Mooketsi said Police continue to strengthen strategies in the fight against stock theft crime.
According to Mooketsi, a total number of 37 cases have been reported. She said one person has been convicted and in another case which was completed before a Customary Court two male accused persons were sentenced to five years imprisonment.
She said nine suspects have been remanded in custody, adding that the number of stock involved is 78, 49 of which were recovered. These statistics are from 22nd April 2024 when Operation Kgomokhumo 8 commenced, to date.
Mooketsi shared that the operation is now covering most of the districts across the country which include Kweneng, Boteti, Ngami, Bobirwa, Kgatleng Districts.
She urged members of the public to have partnerships with the police as whistle blowers on any to fight against stock theft crime.
Mooketsi applauded farmers who have formed farmers’ committees in which they also assist the police on issues of stock theft across their areas. She said recently as the police they had engaged farmers committees in the kweneng District to share their challenges and suggestions on how best to fight stock theft in their area. Mooketsi highlighted that they also visit different butcheries to check the legitimacy of the businesses.