A total of 61 cattle were smuggled into Zimbabwe in the Tutume policing area during the past two years.

Answering a question in Botswana Parliament on Wednesday, defence, justice and security minister, Mr Dikgakgamatso Seretse, said 33 of them were recovered and destroyed to prevent the spread of foot and mouth disease. He said no cattle were held by the Zimbabwean authorities as exhibits. Nkange MP, Mr Edwin Batshu had asked the minister to appraise Parliament on the number of cases held by the Botswana Police Service in connection with cattle smuggled into Zimabwe in the Tutume policing area. The MP also wanted to know how many cattle were smuggled into Zimbabwe in that area during the past two years.

Mr Batshu also wanted to know how many were recovered, returned to Botswana and subsequently destroyed to curb the spread of foot and mouth disease. Furthermore, he wanted to know how many were currently held by the Zimbabwe authorities as exhibits and when, if known, the relevant cases would be completed so that the owners of the cattle could know the fate of their livestock.

By Staff reporter and agencies