Stock theft threat to food security

By Emily Setona

QWAQWA – Free State MEC for Agriculture and Rural department  Thembeni Nxangisa  who had joined his counterpart MEC for police roads and transport MEC William Bulwane during meeting with livestock farmers, has outlined roles played by his department in terms of assisting farmers.

“Our role as a department is to assist farmers with the following things; feed for livestock, supporting function, help position farmers into the commercial market and to help create jobs,” Nxangisa said during a meeting held in Phuthaditjhaba on Tuesday February 15.

The meeting was Free State Department of Police, roads and transport’s response to the call from anti – stock theft patrollers stationed in Maluti – a – Phofung municipality and he  came to Phuthadithjaba with key stakeholders to discuss issues around the theft of livestock and its impact on people’s livelihoods and food security in the Free State.

MEC William Bulwane from the department of police, roads and transport heeded a call from the anti – stock theft patrollers to come help them find practical solutions regarding the high cases of stock theft being recorded in MAP. “In one month, I pledge to give two patrol cars, to help patrol the area,” Bulwane said.

When talking to The Guard anti – stock theft patroller Simon Lephuthing emphasized the importance of practical solutions to this problem because people are losing their source of income and this could pose a very serious threat to the social and economic stability of the community of MAP. Farmers who were present in the meeting also reiterated this fact by sharing similar accounts of their experiences.

Kgalalelo Mphatwe the Provincial Commander of Stock Theft and Endangered species said; “The community must not hesitate to contact me when the local structures fail them. It is my duty to make sure that this issue of stock theft does not persist because it threatens people’s livelihoods and our food security.”