On recognising the escalation in the number of livestock theft cases in the country, an anti-stock theft programme has been formed and budgeted for accordingly by the National Crime Prevention Unit of the Botswana Police Service. In the same vein, a number of crime prevention efforts have been initiated by the police in the conjunction with other partners to curb theft of livestock in the country. Items for discussion at anti-stock theft workshops and seminar include among others;

·         Awareness on stock theft trends

·         Prevention techniques to thwart available opportunities

·         Encouraging farmers to cooperate with other stake holders

This programme provides a conductive platform for crime prevention partners to discuss issues pertinent to livestock problems.

In addition, the Ministry of Agriculture and other stakeholders have in place measures that are very critical to the control of stock theft in the country. If exploited appropriately, stake holders especially the police, working in partnership with the community will find these measures very effective to control stock theft. These measures include:

·         Zonal Branding - This is intended to identify the animal in a given area. It is possible to identify that the animal has relocated.

·         Cattle Brand - This identifies that the animal is the property of the person whose names appears on the brand.

·         Bolus and Livestock Identification and Trace-back System (LITS) - It is a device that is inserted in the alimentary track of cattle containing particulars of animal and its owner, and the instrument that interrogates the device respectively.

·         Livestock Sales Permit - Speculators license permits millers to purchase livestock.

·         Council Abattoirs - Where animals are inspected before they could be slaughtered for local butcheries. Animals without proper identification are not permitted.

·         Botswana Meat Commission - Animals are only accepted for slaughter at this place with a permit from the Director of Animal Health. Only animals with Bolus are slaughtered.

·         Matimela Act Cap 36:06 - The Act provides that any person who finds matimela knowing them to be matimela, shall report the presence of such animals to his nearest matimela master, chief, sub-chief or headman within one month.

All these activities provide good opportunities for theft of stock in the country. Livestock farmers are encouraged to form as many committees as possible as this will enable the police and other partners to impart vast knowledge pertaining to the safety of their property. The crime prevention partners in this field (the police, council authorities, veterinary authorities and livestock farmers) are exhorted to enforce these measures to make all the available stock theft opportunities difficult to circumvent. Presentations should be made at seminars and workshops by partners on issues relating to sales permits, branding of animals, bolus insertion, verification of ownership of stock and other related matters.