KARIBIB – The former stock theft unit commander of the Namibian Police in the Erongo Region, Warrant-Officer Desmond Kamoruao, 43 appeared on Thursday in the Karibib Magistrate’s Court on a charge of stock theft and defeating the course of justice.
Kamoruao, who handed himself over to Nampol on Wednesday afternoon, appeared in a fully packed courtroom as farmers as far as Otjimbingwe and surrounding farms flocked to the Karibib court to catch a glimpse of Kamarauo who appeared before Magistrate Lillian Mbaeva.
He appeared alongside four other suspects – two twin brothers, Erasmus Katombo, 47, a shop assistant in Karibib and Hewarth Katombo, 47, who were arrested together with Kamarauo on Wednesday at the town; 53-year-old Tomo Uatjitua from Otjimbingwe and Uarupi Tjkotoke, believed to be a labourer for Kamaraou on his rented farm, Daheim.
Two other suspects are Eliakim Ndetutjire and Gerson Hanavi who also made their second appearance in court last week Monday.
Only Erasmus was granted bail as evidence against him on the alleged stock theft remained sketchy.
Public Prosecutor George Matali who represented the State opposed bail stating that more arrests are expected to follow and that investigations were still incomplete.
Matali also urged the court that Kamoruao who is believed to be the mastermind should not be granted bail for his own safety and that of his family.
“Most crimes have been committed in the Otjimbingwe district and his wife and children are also settled there, therefore it would be in their best interest not to grant him bail. Farmers in that vicinity might harm him,” explained Matali.
Kamoruao was represented by Milton Engelbrecht from Isaak and Benz Incorporated.
The other suspects did not have legal representation and were advised to apply for legal assistance or defend themselves.
The stock theft syndicate was unearthed in January this year after two suspects of which one was Kamoruao’s herder was ironically reported by Kamoruao himself to Nampol for the alleged crime.
However while investigating the matter, Nampol allegedly found four cattle with tampered branding at Kamoruao’s rented farm. The cattle were allegedly found in one of his kraals in January this year and were believed to have been stolen.
Nampol last week also reported that more than half a million dollars worth of livestock was allegedly reported stolen in the Erongo Region in January this year.
Towns such as Omaruru, Karibib, Usakos and Uis are the most affected areas in the region.
According to Nampol about 7 971 cattle and other livestock, with an estimated value of N$22,5 million were reported stolen countrywide in 2013. Some 776 arrests were made and 1 274 charges relating to stock theft were laid and investigated.
Deputy Commissioner Otillie Kashuupulwa last week announced that 143 goats, 129 cattle, 87 sheep and six donkeys with a estimated combined value of N$627 770 were reported stolen in the Erongo Region.
Only 69 of the missing animals were recovered, including some carcasses and cooked meat valued at N$296 250.
By Eveline de Klerk