OMARURU – Farmers in the Erongo region lost livestock worth N$2.6 million to stock theft in 2025.
Meanwhile, only N$78 000 worth of stolen goods was successfully recovered by the Namibian Police.
Erongo Commissioner Nikolaus Kupembona revealed these figures during a meeting with farmers in the Omaruru area yesterday to address challenges farmers are facing in the area.
According to Kupembona, 167 large livestock, including cattle, horses and donkeys, were stolen in 2025. Of the 167 large livestock stolen, only 44 were recovered.
“In addition, 277 small stock such as goats, sheep and pigs were stolen during the same period, with only 56 recovered,” he told the farmers.
According to Kupembona, a comparison of the two years shows a 31% increase in stock theft cases.
The commissioner is alarmed that there has been an increase in stolen livestock, as the police recorded N$1.3 million stolen in 2024 compared to the N$2.6 million in 2025.
In 2024, he says 122 large livestock were stolen, of which only 36 were recovered, while 137 cases were reported and 32 suspects arrested.
He says the police last year registered 167 stock theft cases and arrested 41 suspects.
Kupembona expressed concern over the increase of stock theft in the region, adding that fighting crime targeting farmers needs a collective approach from farmers, police and the community at large. “The safety of our farming sector is a top priority, and farming is not just a business; it is a way of life that feeds our nation. When livestock are stolen, it is an attack on the security of the entire region. As long as someone is buying stolen stock, criminals will continue to steal,” he said.
He then appealed to the community not to buy stolen meat or livestock and rather to report people who are conducting such activities to the police.
Kupembona told the farmers that the police alone cannot fight livestock theft.
“I will be honest with you, the police cannot be everywhere, and we cannot fight stock theft alone. That is why we are here – to join hands,” he told the farmers.
He also urged farmers to report cases immediately and to ensure that livestock are properly branded. Also speaking during the meeting, farmer Vipua Tjimune said that farmers in the area have organised themselves in groups to patrol and assist each other to curb poaching.
“We understand that the police also have challenges, and we want to do our part. At times, farmers will be first at scenes; hence, we are appealing to the police just to educate us on what to do when we arrive at such scenes,” he said.
– edeklerk@nepc.com.na