Big and small livestock worth over N$3.4 million were reported stolen between last year and now, which saw the region’s farmers losing 595 cattle and 404 small livestock to rustlers.

The figures were revealed by Omaheke governor Pijoo Nganate during his recent state of the region address (Sora).

He raised concerns about the prevalence of stock theft in the region, and how it affects both commercial and communal farmers. 

From the reported 94 cases of big livestock, the police managed to make 126 arrests and recovered only 44 of the stolen animals, while from the stolen 404 small stock, only 70 were recovered. 

To put an end to this crime, Nganate is pinning hopes on the construction of new police stations, and the deployment of highly-trained officers to various parts of the region.

“During this reporting period, the Namibian Police in the Omaheke region are currently having capital projects in place, such as the construction of police stations and accommodation facilities at Epako, Trans-Kalahari, Tallismanus and Leonardville. Some of the mentioned sites are already fenced off and awaiting construction. A police station (C-class) with accommodation facilities has been constructed at Onderombapa, and was inaugurated on 1 March 2024,” he added.

“The most other prevalent crimes here in the region are theft, assault with intent to do grievous bodily harm, housebreaking with intent to steal, and robbery.”

Meanwhile, a few months ago, NamPol’s commissioner Tylves Kampolo also raised concern about the increasing rate of stock theft in Omaheke. 

 “When you look at the cases from 2021 until now, farmers in this region have already lost hundreds and hundreds of cattle. The Namibian Police have been working with the community to combat this crime, but we have noticed that there is a deep and well-orchestrated network of cattle rustlers in the region, whose rogue operations extend beyond Omaheke. But as a law-enforcement agency, we will continue to do our part to ensure we bring those culprits to book”, he worryingly pointed out.

Concerns 

Young Otjombinde farmer Nikanor Hengua, who lost over 14 cattle and 21 goats between last year and now to rustlers, said the recovery of stolen livestock and the arrest rate of the suspected persons is not satisfactory. 

“It really takes very long for the police to recover our stolen stock. At times, the culprits are well-known, and the community members also make efforts to share the culprits’ names and addresses, but they are just never arrested. Or if they are arrested, it’s a day or two, then they are released on bail, just to come back and steal again. Stock theft is rife here in Omaheke. Fellow farmers in Otjinene and Epukiro are also facing similar problems,” said the full-time farmer. 

Another farmer, Tjivii Uatakama from Otjinene, complained about how rustlers are crippling their farming operations. 

“People think owning cattle and small stock is a gift that just falls from heaven and, therefore, they can just come and steal as they wish. My brother, we take heavy loans from banks to buy these animals, and each year we must pay back those loans with interest to our respective banks. Now, when you steal 10 of my cattle, with what will I repay my loans? It’s damaging to our operations as young farmers, and the people who are doing these things live amongst us. I think the police can do much better to help us.

“People keep talking about community collaboration with the police, but when we report cases of theft, it takes forever to recover our stolen cattle. Many-a-time, the cattle are just never recovered at all. It is a very sad situation, and one that needs intervention from serious stakeholders as we are really losing out big time,” stated the concerned Uatakama. 

Statistics

Between 2022 and 2023, close to 1 200 cases of livestock theft were reported to the police countrywide, with the biggest chunk of that number coming from the Omaheke and Otjozondjupa regions.

During that period, more than 225 animals were stolen in Omaheke, while a total of 451 livestock theft cases were reported in Otjozondjupa. 

Omaheke’s livestock theft hotspots are the areas around Witvlei, Summerdown, Omitara, Steinhaussen and communal areas, particularly in Otjinene, Eiseb and Tallismanus. -ohembapu@nepc.com.na