By Augustine Ehikioya
The South African National Defence Force has assisted Botswana in apprehending two most wanted suspects involved in stock theft crimes.
The suspects were reported to have fled to South Africa from Botswana after committing the crime.
A statement by Captain Z. Nkabinde and made available to Security Watch Africa (SWA) on Monday, said “The Botswana Special Support Group (SSG) approached the South African National Defence Force deployed at Mahikeng borderline to assist them with apprehending two most wanted male suspects, in connection with stock theft crimes that they believe are taking refuge in South Africa.
“Members of Tshwane Regiment deployed in Mahikeng were conducting Vehicle Patrols in the vicinity of Madutle where they apprehended one of the fugitives from Botswana. The second fugitive was later apprehended in the same area,” it said.
The statement also disclosed that the deployed soldiers were able to “apprehend two suspects with 11 goats and 9 sheep stolen in Botswana.
“The two suspects were handed over to the South African Police Service and the Botswana Special Support Group was contacted.”
It added “On the 09th November, 2021, the two fugitives from Botswana were handed over to Botswana Special Support Group by the Immigration Office at Skilpadhek Point Of Entry, the Officer Commanding Joint Operations Tactical Headquarters, North West, Colonel M.J. Ramakatsa took his Staff Officer Class 1 Plan, Lieutenant Colonel M.E Lekitlane and the deployed Intelligence Officer, Lieutenant Makgabo with him during this handing over at the request of the Botswana authorities.
“This combined operation was intelligence-driven, however, our troops are also given intelligence training before each deployment or rotation is done. The re-training has proven to be effective as the deployed members were able to apprehend 50 undocumented persons in less than a month and assist the Botswana Special Support Group concerning stock theft crimes. Tshwane Regiment was able to identify and apprehend most of the stock theft syndicates around the borderline thus far,” it stated.
These joint operations, the statement said, have uplifted the relationship between the South African and Botswana Security Forces in “this making a better working environment for those who are doing borderline protection.”