Livestock farmers from different areas of Mokhotlong, on Wednesday, requested for deployment of the Lesotho Defence Force (LDF) at illegal borders to control stock theft between Mokhotlong and Kwazulu Natal province, South Africa.
The majority of farmers who spoke in the meeting regarding the increasing stock theft in the district requested that illegal borders namely Langalebalele, Mohloling oa Mokhotlong, Reli, and others should be given priority when the army decides to deploy soldiers at such places.
They mentioned that these places are used by those who bring stolen livestock from Lesotho either to South Africa or vice versa.
One of the farmers, Mr Khotsang Moshoeshoe, recounted that there used to be the deployment of LDF members in illegal borders between 2015 and 2017, adding that since such deployments stopped stock theft also increased.
He said the patrols that the army used to embark on along the border helped a lot in prevention of stock theft and asked for such patrols to be undertaken again for the safety of their livestock.
When addressing the farmers, Brigadier Posa Stemere of the LDF said the army command has heard the outcry of farmers about their livestock being stolen. He confirmed that the deployment of soldiers along the borders was stopped in 2019 due to a shortage of resources.
He said plans are already in place to execute re-deployment but clarified that they will not be done as before due to a lack of resources. He said when such deployments start, soldiers will rotate after two or three days and will not stay at a such place for long.
Brigadier Stemere stated that the army continues to work tirelessly to ensure that Basotho and their livestock are protected.
He said illegal borders are many and it is impossible that deployment is made in all of them hence the need for farmers to also join the fight against stock theft.
Also speaking at the same event was Senior Inspector Haleeo Leluma of the Mokhotlong Police Station who explained that the LMPS is mandated to prevent crime before it can happen adding that when crime especially stock theft has happened, in most cases the stolen livestock is hard to recover.
He urged farmers to play a leading role in ensuring their livestock is always protected. He also advised livestock owners to regularly visit the cattle posts to ensure herders and livestock are still safe.
Senior Inspector Leluma informed the farmers about a 90-day operation launched on early this week to massively fight against stock theft in the country and therefore challenged them to come on board so that collectively, they can win the fight.
On the other hand, the Mokhotlong District Administrator Mr. Serame Linake encouraged farmers to form a district committee and a WhatsApp group to discuss livestock prevention in the district.
He said so far members of the security sector have joint efforts in the fight against crime.
Stock theft is one of the crimes which is a major challenge facing the district as it is reported that it happens almost every week in the district.
SOURCE: LENA 25/01/2023
