STOCK THEFT CRIME PREVENTION
Date
2011-05-05
Authors
Tsoeu, Tlelima Victor
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Abstract
Stock theft is one of the major crimes affecting Lesotho. The Lesotho
Mounted Police Service has adopted community policing as a crime
prevention strategy in order to combat stock theft through the
establishment of crime prevention committees. However, despite the
introduction of this strategy, stock theft continues to increase. The purpose
of this research is to investigate the different challenges which are faced
by this strategy in order to render the strategy more effective. The study
engages the documents and legal frameworks which contributed to the
formulation of this strategy. In depth interviews with different stakeholders
were also carried out.
One of the main findings of the research is that the community is no longer
committed in participating in the measures which are aimed at fighting
stock theft. It has also been established that the training of both the police
and the community has since stopped which makes it difficult for both the
police and the community to appreciate community policing. On the other
hand, the crime prevention committees are viewed as a voluntary exercise
and therefore need to be legally established so that they can command
more authority and legitimacy. The study also recommends the review of
the current Stock Theft Act of 2000 so that the punishment would be
commensurate with the offences committed and deter potential stock
thieves.
Description
MM - P&DM
Keywords
Stock theft, Lesotho, Crime prevention, Lesotho