Cross-Border Cattle Theft Persists Along Botswana, Namibia Border!

Police in Okavango District continue fighting cross-border cattle theft along the eastern side of the Okavango River bordering Namibia, with 61 cattle reported stolen across four separate incidents between January and May this year.
Addressing the Okavango District Full Council Session on Friday, Officer Commanding District No. 17, Senior Superintendent Peggy Vakalisa, stated that the cases were recorded within Gudigwa, Beetsha, and Eretsha villages.
Vakalisa revealed that cattle were being smuggled across the Namibian border while grazing in free-range areas before being transported to Zambia, where a suspected cattle theft syndicate and illicit market are believed to be operating.
She said efforts by farmers, Namibian authorities, and other officials had led to the interception of some of the stolen livestock in both Namibia and Zambia.
According to Vakalisa, the Botswana Government, through the Department of Veterinary Services, is currently working to repatriate 56 cattle that were intercepted by Namibian farmers and officials. However, the animals will be culled upon their return to Botswana in accordance with veterinary regulations.
She added that affected farmers would be compensated for their losses. Vakalisa noted that in the past, Namibian veterinary authorities had allowed Botswana and affected farmers to sell recovered cattle within Namibia, enabling farmers to recover some value from their livestock. However, that arrangement is no longer possible due to restrictions brought about by the Foot and Mouth Disease outbreak.
In a breakthrough earlier this year, a Zambian national was arrested at a cattle post near Gudigwa in February on suspicion of cattle smuggling.
During investigations, the suspect reportedly admitted that he and several accomplices, who managed to evade arrest, had entered Botswana illegally with the intention of stealing cattle and selling them in Zambia.
The suspect was subsequently charged with illegal entry into Botswana and sentenced to one year imprisonment. He remains in custody pending deportation to his home country.
To curb the escalating problem, the Botswana Government has intensified border patrols in affected areas through the deployment of Botswana Defence Force personnel. Farmers have also formed patrol groups to assist security agencies in monitoring livestock movements along the border.
Despite these efforts, Vakalisa said farmers involved in patrol operations continue to face significant risks, particularly from dangerous wildlife encountered in remote border areas. She emphasised the need for continued cooperation between security agencies, neighbouring countries, and farming communities to combat the growing threat of cross-border cattle rustling.