Mbabane – The smuggling of livestock into South Africa continues to threaten efforts to protect Eswatini’s national herd, with **51 goats worth E61 200 intercepted in the Shiselweni Region on Sunday afternoon.
The latest interceptions, made by the Umbutfo Eswatini Defence Force (UEDF), are the latest in a pattern of livestock being moved illegally across the Kingdom’s border.The UEDF has previously reported several large-scale interceptions along the South African border. In November last year, troops said they had intercepted 130 goats destined for South Africa in less than a month, while security operations have also resulted in the recovery of hundreds of livestock.
The latest operation involved three separate interceptions at Sivule, Hluthi and Makholweni, all in the Shiselweni Region. At Sivule, troops on patrol stopped a vehicle at about 8.21am and found 23 goats valued at E27 600. A 63-year-old South African man from KwaNongoma in KwaZulu-Natal and a 60-year-old Liswati woman from Qomintaba were found in the vehicle.
The pair were allegedly attempting to take the animals into South Africa.About five hours later, troops manning a vehicle checkpoint at Hluthi intercepted a Toyota Hi-Lux carrying another 20 goats worth E24 000, and recovered three Liswati men in the vehicle.
The final interception was made at Makholweni at about 7.25pm, when troops stopped a 24-year-old South African man allegedly driving **eight goats valued at E9 600 towards the border.
He was allegedly found without a Stock Removal Permit.The three interceptions brought the value of livestock recovered that day to E61 200.The suspects, vehicles and animals were handed over to the relevant law enforcement authorities for further investigation.
The latest seizures come as Government is placing greater emphasis on developing the livestock sector.Earlier this year, government launched a E51.5 million Goat Industry Enhancement Project, aimed at improving the productivity and commercial potential of the country’s goat industry through better breeds, improved production and stronger market opportunities.
This makes the continued movement of goats across the border an increasingly important issue for the sector, particularly where animals are being taken out of the country outside the required regulatory processes.The border problem is not confined to livestock.
The UEDF also reported the seizure of 16.8kg of dagga worth E16 800 in three separate operations at Nsubane in Lubombo and Hluthi. The largest of the three consignments, 9.85kg valued at E9 850, was intercepted at Nsubane on August 5.
On August 14, troops intercepted another 5.1kg at Nsubane from two men travelling in an Opel Corsa, while a further 1.85kg was seized at Hluthi.
The UEDF said the continued movement of livestock and dagga across the Kingdom’s boundary remained a concern despite ongoing patrols and vehicle checkpoints.The modern game clogs the holding midfield
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