CROSS-BORDER MEETING REVEALS CHALLENGES

A recent meeting of the Free State and Lesotho Cross Border Crime Prevention Forum highlighted numerous challenges affecting villages near the borders in Botha-Bothe and the Free State.

District Administrator Mr Ts’epa Chaba, speaking at the public gathering held in Phoku, noted that the meeting was long overdue, as the community has been facing these issues for years.

He emphasized that the forum’s purpose was to hear the community’s challenges firsthand and work together to find solutions.

Mr. Litaba Mohapi, the Coordinator of the Forum, addressed the community, acknowledging that the shared border between Lesotho and South Africa inevitably leads to challenges that require periodic resolution. One significant issue he identified was stock theft, which has become a serious problem, resembling a business for criminals.

“Many animals have been stolen from Lesotho and taken to South Africa, and vice versa,” Mr Mohapi said. “Human trafficking is also increasing due to the porous borders, where people seek job opportunities without proper documentation, only to find themselves in dangerous situations.”

He further explained that stock theft is so rampant that both civilians and criminals have lost their lives over these disputes. Mr Mohapi stressed the need for collaboration among all affected agencies in both countries to address this challenge.

Seabata Tshoenyane from the Fouriseberg Stock Theft Department highlighted a specific issue with animal marking in Lesotho. He noted that many stolen animals lack proper identification, complicating recovery efforts. “When we receive tips about stolen animals smuggled into South Africa, the absence of markings makes it difficult to identify them.

Thieves often rebrand the animals upon reaching South Africa, further obscuring their origins.”

Tshoenyane also pointed out that some Lesotho farmers illegally sell their animals in South African auctions, leading to disputes and accusations of theft when payment terms are not honoured. He advised Basotho farmers to follow proper legal channels to avoid contributing to stock theft.

Local villager Sibane Khurumala mentioned that they face delays in animal marking due to transport issues with the officials responsible. Inspector Lepota Sekhonyana from Maputsoe recommended community policing as an effective strategy, which has led to a decrease in crime in other areas. He urged the community to refrain from participating in the illegal smuggling of animals under the guise of auction sales.

The forum concluded that the next meeting would take place in Qwaqwa, a hotspot for smuggled Basotho animals, in an effort to tackle the stock theft issue more effectively.

 

Source: Lesotho News Agency/ 30/7/2024.

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