Botswana rolls out P97m response plan for cross-border security and FMD control
Acting Minister of Lands and Agriculture, Dr Edwin Dikoloti, has informed Parliament that Botswana continues to collaborate closely with South Africa to strengthen security and regional stability through the Binational Commission (BNC).
The platform addresses cross-border crime, poaching, and animal disease control. During question time, Dr Dikoloti acknowledged that more can be done to fully utilise the forum, adding that his Ministry intends to maximise its benefits.
At the departmental level, the Department of Veterinary Services (DVS) has agreed to a benchmarking visit on Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) control measures by the KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Government.
He was responding to a question from Bobirwa legislator, Taolo Lucas, who sought clarity on measures to prevent the spread of FMD from South Africa and Zimbabwe into the Bobirwa District.
Lucas specifically asked about the state of cordon fences, deployment of personnel and resources, the role of Mephato, and engagement with neighbouring countries.
Dr Dikoloti explained that the South African High Commissioner to Botswana, Thaninga Shope-Soumar, has invited the DVS to Mafikeng to meet North West Provincial Government officials to discuss collaboration on FMD control.
Botswana also works with Zimbabwe through the Joint Permanent Commission on security matters, including combating livestock rustling and controlling FMD.
He highlighted the revival of Mephato in Bobirwa as a powerful example of using cultural structures to address modern cross-border challenges.
The minister stressed that the threat of FMD from South Africa and Zimbabwe is considered an emergency, with the potential to become a national disaster.
To this end, the government has approved a national FMD response plan, backed by a P97 million budget, to implement immediate and short-term prevention and control measures.
The budget covers logistical support for border patrols, de-bushing, fence repairs, and community mobilisation for disease control, including livestock movement restrictions.
Given limited resources, the Ministry is implementing a partnership model with border communities to maintain cordon fences, supplementing formal staff efforts.
Dr Dikoloti argued that this approach is more sustainable than relying solely on government resources.
He revealed that over 240 personnel have been deployed to outbreak zones 3c and 6b, while surveillance continues in FMD-free zones such as zone 7.
Police officers have also been deployed along the border, and additional support has been granted for the use of the Mmadikgaka veterinary camp to strengthen deployments.
Currently, 11 Mephato camps are operating along the fence from Mabolwe border to Gobe cattle posts, with plans to expand coverage to Robelelela/Dikgatlhong and Motlhabaneng.
Encouragingly, communities in Morolong, Kgatleng, Gamalete, Kgalagadi, Serowe, Tonota, and North East districts are also mobilising Mephato to patrol and maintain border and interzonal fences.