By Keiso Mohloboli
BEREA — The Lekokoaneng area chief ‘Masekoati Masupha and Berea police on Tuesday held a public gathering in Ha Fusi aimed at stopping livestock-herders from fighting over pasture.
Masupha said Ha Ntaja, Linokong, Ha Ntsuba, Ha Mapokotsa, Litšiling and Ha Fusi residents continue to kill each other over grazing land, which she said must never be tolerated as the fighting was also affecting innocent residents.
“A certain principal was injured on Thursday last week when some herd-boys took their fight to his school. The man was beaten with a stick on the head when he tried to intervene,” said Masupha.
Ha Fusi chief Qamako Masupha said the fights are actually started by the livestock-owners, adding the herd-boys would only be “doing what they would have been told to do by their employers”.
“It is a disgrace that the fighting ends up claiming people’s lives, which is why they must never be tolerated and should be stopped,” the Ha Fusi chief said, further explaining the procedure to be taken for livestock to be allowed onto a particular pasture.
“There are certain permits which are granted by the area chief for livestock to be allowed on a particular field.
“If any animals are found grazing on a piece of land without a permit, then the owner is taken to the office of the area chief and charged for the offense.
“It is unfortunate that herd-boys from neighbouring villages are grazing their flock on my land without any permits, which has led to these fights.”
The Ha Ntaja chief, ‘Mathebeeamang Masupha, however, defended her subjects, arguing they should not be killed for grazing their animals in Ha Fusi, Phatla ea khomo, Malibeng and Mpotlo because the areas are under her jurisdiction.
“Some fields in Ha Fusi are under my jurisdiction and I don’t see any problem with my people grazing their animals in that area,” ‘Mathebeeamang said.
“It was never a problem when my husband, Chief Katiso Masupha , was the chief but it became an issue when he passed away in 2009.”
However, Chief ‘Masekoati Masupha, in conclusion, said the feuding villagers should live in harmony as they all fall under Lekokoaneng.
“The villages are open and free of fences; the herd-boys can graze their animals without permits for as long as they are in Lekokoaneng.”
In her address, Senior Inspector ‘Matholoana Tholoana of the Berea Police, urged the villagers to stop the bloody feuds, adding those found to be behind them would be prosecuted.
“It is a criminal offence to fight and kill each other, so anyone found to be behind such fights will be promptly arrested .
“If the herd-boys have a problem, they must communicate with each other and solve their differences to avoid being involved in criminal activities.
“You must learn to co-exist and graze your animals without fear of being attacked,” Senior Inspector Tholoana said.
