Suspected cattle thief gets the sjambok

The Butha-Buthe police have raised concern over illegal grazing of animals in South African farms, stock theft and dagga trafficking along the South African- Lesotho border.

This follows the beating up of a man by a South African farmer, who suspected the Lesotho national for theft of his five cattle. According to Senior Superintendent 'Mamotlatsi Petlane, the farmer crossed the border into Lesotho through the Qalo border, confronted the man, beat and took him back to his farm in South Africa, where the sjambokking continued until he was handed over to the South African police.

Senior Superintendent Petlane said illegally crossing into South Africa, dagga trafficking, import of stolen vehicles and stock theft have encouraged South Africans to come freely into Lesotho to claim their property. As long as Basotho continue to use illegal borders into South Africa, the neighbours will continue coming to Lesotho through the same illegal borders to look for their livestock, she said.

More than 20 people were arrested during the festive season for crossing into South Africa without going through the legal channels. Some had done this because they do not have legal documents, Senior Superintendent Petlane said, urging Basotho to apply for passports or temporary permits to help reduce crime along the border.

08 January 2004