26 Nov 2024

A total of 958 eligible beneficiaries have been successfully compensated through the restocking exercise in Bobirwa District, Assistant Minister of Lands and Agriculture, Dr Edwin Dikoloti told Parliament on Monday.

He said all the beneficiaries who went through the verification process and found eligible for compensation had been successfully compensated, following consultation with the local authorities and other key stakeholders to avoid excluding anybody who was eligible.

However, he noted that  government was open to assessment, consultation and dialogue to address any national or territorial issues for the advancement of the livelihood of Batswana.

He noted that 2 924 cattle, 367 sheep, 4 890 goats and 296 donkeys were disbursed through the exercise.

Dr Dikoloti was responding to MP for Bobirwa, Mr Taolo Lucas, who wanted an update on the restocking exercise intended to compensate farmers who fell victim to the cross border livestock rustling in Bobirwa District.

The MP had asked if he was aware that some farmers who lost their livestock to the scourge had not benefitted from the compensation and restocking exercise, and whether he would consider opening a window for those who were excluded from the exercise.

Further, Mr Lucas asked whether it was the government’s intention to replicate the compensation exercise to other parts of the country where cross-border livestock crime occurred. ENDS