Windhoek
Okasoko villagers in the Kunene Region are reeling from shock and disbelief after 336 goats belonging to one household drowned as a result of heavy downpours.
Turiapamwe Tjiurua, a 29-year-old man who looked after the livestock of his 71-year-old mother, Japerendua Kuroro, had to seek medical attention and counselling at Opuwo Hospital after his blood pressure shot up as a result of the traumatic event that transpired in the blink of an eye.
Tjiurua’s emptional shock can partly be attributed to the fact that villagers in the Kunene regard livestock as essential to their livelihoods, as the animals provide both meat and milk.
Although the incident happened on February 2, it was only reported to the Opuwo Rural Constituency office this week, when the victims sought assistance.
“The goats belonged to one household consisting of 26 families and now they don’t have anything to eat,” said Opuwo Rural Councillor Kazeongere Tjeundo. He said the heavy rains also destroyed gardens belonging to other members of the community.
“The community is still traumatised, as they have never experienced such a large number of livestock dying at once as a result of heavy rainfall,” said the councillor.
He said other than assessing the situation and considering long-term measures, nothing can be done other than providing the affected people with drought relief food.”
Okasoko village is situated some 50 kilometres west of Opuwo.