By Reagan Malumo
KATIMA MULILO
Ten cattle stolen in the Mubiza area, some 15 km east of Katima Mulilo were this week recovered by the police at Makanda in neighbouring Zambia.
The cattle were recovered by the Zambian police and are yet to be given to the owner who has been identified as Kabuku Ndara.
Acting Regional Commander of the Namibian Police, Chief Inspector Fredrick Nalisa, said a joint operation with state veterinarians at Katima Mulilo is under way to examine whether the cattle have contracted any disease.
“We are informed by our Zambian counterparts that an epidemic of foot-and-mouth disease has erupted in Zambia, and that any Namibian livestock that steps on Zambian soil might be in danger of contracting the disease,” stressed Nalisa.
One suspect was arrested in connection with the incident. The other two suspects managed to evade arrest. All suspects are believed to be Zambian nationals.
In another incident police officials recovered 17 cattle stolen from Zambia and smuggled into Namibia at Malindi area, some 50 kilometres east of Katima Mulilo on Monday.
The cattle were smuggled via undesignated entry points into Namibia by four suspected Zambian nationals who allegedly sold them to a Namibian national.
Acting Caprivi Regional Commander of the Namibian Police, Chief Inspector Nalisa, confirmed to New Era that both the buyer and two Zambian nationals were arrested in connection with stock theft. They appeared before court this week.
He said two other suspects were arrested in a similar case by the Zambian police. The cattle were handed back to their rightful owner in Zambia via the Wenela Border Post the same day.
Nalisa warned those stealing cattle, especially Zambian nationals, to refrain from doing so.
He said his office is aware of a network of stock thieves operating between the two countries.
He said the Namibian police would continue to work around the clock until these stock thefts are smashed and the culprits brought to book.