Zebaldt Ngaruka
Cruel activities are befalling livestock farmers in the Epukiro constituency after another cow was found with a stab wound in the grazing area of the Omaheke region.
Early last week, similar incidents happened at Kalkpan settlement, which is neighbouring Okovimburu, where the newest incident happened.
The cow’s owner, Simony Nghishindimbwa, told New Era that he noticed the wound when the cattle were on the way to the village water point.
“Strangely, this cow is grazing from the small camp. One will thus wonder why someone can come that close and try to kill the cow,” he wondered.
He added that ear tags were also removed from his cattle last week.
“We are now living in fear. Farming is our only means of survival, and now it is threatened by thieves, in addition to the already escalating drought,” he lamented.
Nghishindimbwa is questioning the new trend of causing harm to livestock, saying that whoever is doing it must be caught and dealt with speedily.
Okovimburu village chairperson Kotoree Kaukuata said he is disturbed by the new trend of livestock being stabbed.
“The people doing these inhumane acts must stop, otherwise it will cause conflict, which is not good,” he warned.
The chairperson further urged village residents to be calm and be on the lookout for the suspicious groups that are behind these criminal acts.
“We have to cooperate with our traditional authorities and constituency councillor to solve these problems,” said Kaukuata, who added that two of his cattle were also stolen earlier this year.
Akas Katjiteo, who is the owner of the other cow which was stabbed in neighbouring Kalkpan settlement last week, told this publication that the cow is responding well to treatment.
“We are monitoring it very closely, and it is showing good signs of recovery. I am happy with the progress, although traumatic a bit, as I do not know when the enemy will strike again,” he added.
He then complimented the assistance received from the Harnas and Epukiro Veterinary Services.
“This trend is uncalled for, but the suspects must know that we are not sleeping. It is just a matter of time,” Katjiteo stressed.
He added that one of his pregnant cows, which was grazing with the stabbed one, is still missing for three weeks now.
“It might have been killed, as it was in its last phase of pregnancy,” he said woefully.
On his part, the vice chairperson of the Community Against Stocktheft organisation Kahepako Kakujaha said these cases are on the increase, and require the full participation of all farmers in the surrounding villages.
“We held meetings with stakeholders, and there are plans to curb these evil acts,” he said noted.
– zngaruka@yahoo.com