DISANENG, NORTH WEST – Livestock owners in the rural settlement of Disaneng are calling for urgent intervention amid a surge in stock theft, with allegations that corrupt law enforcement officials are enabling criminal networks operating across the South Africa-Botswana border.
Local residents describe a pattern of cattle and goat thefts where stolen animals are quickly moved through a nearby border crossing into Botswana, hindering recovery efforts. Compounding the crisis, community members claim that reports filed with police frequently stall, leading to widespread belief that certain officers are actively assisting perpetrators.
One resident, a confirmed victim of livestock theft who spoke on condition of anonymity, stated that distrust in local policing has reached a breaking point. “Many of us no longer bother reporting,” he said. “The animals are slaughtered and sold right here in our communities, and those responsible face no consequences.” He added that the ease with which stolen stock crosses the border fence undermines any sense of security.
The geographic reality of Disaneng—situated adjacent to an porous section of the international boundary—has made it a conduit for multiple forms of cross-border crime. In addition to livestock theft, residents report vehicles being stolen in South Africa and transported into Botswana, and vice versa, with little effective interdiction.
Community representatives recently held discussions with Ryno Naidoo, Acting Provincial Police Commissioner for the North West, to press for actionable solutions. Key demands include stronger border monitoring, transparent investigation protocols, and accountability measures to address allegations of police collusion. The engagement comes ahead of the anticipated release of the province’s fourth-quarter crime statistics, which Naidoo is expected to present and which may shed further light on rural and cross-border crime trends.
While provincial police have recognized stock theft as a persistent challenge in remote areas, Disaneng residents argue that statistical acknowledgments are insufficient without tangible operational changes. They emphasize that restoring community trust requires visible progress: consistent case resolution, joint patrols with Botswana authorities, and mechanisms for residents to safely report misconduct.
Until such measures are implemented, families in Disaneng say they remain exposed to ongoing losses and heightened vulnerability, with their livelihoods increasingly threatened by a cycle of theft and impunity.