GOBABIS – The Namibian Police have raised concerns around alarming livestock theft cases in the Omaheke region, where both commercial and communal farmers have lost over 100 cattle to rustlers since the start of the year.
The latest disturbing statistics were shared during last Friday’s Farmers’ Engagement Day held at Gobabis, which was attended by vice president Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, Cabinet ministers, constituency councillors, senior police officers, general members of the public as well as commercial, communal and resettled farmers.
The farmers’ engagement day was an opportunity for Nandi-Ndaitwah to acquaint herself with the drought situation in the region, water shortage issues, land reform efforts, the ongoing drought relief programme and government’s subsidies to farmers and related matters.
However, one of the key issues that stood out during the gathering was the rise in livestock theft cases, which NamPol’s commissioner Tylves Kampolo said remains a huge concern, and one that needs to be swiftly nipped in the bud.
“It is a big problem here in Omaheke, especially when you look at the cases from 2021 until now. In fact, farmers in this region have already lost over 100 cattle since the start of the year. 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 said.
Between 2022 and 2023, close to 900 cases of livestock theft were reported to the police countrywide, with the biggest chunk of that number coming from Omaheke and Otjozondjupa.
Over 225 animals were stolen in the Omaheke regions, while a total of 451 livestock theft cases were reported in Otjozondjupa.
Omaheke’s livestock theft hotspots are the areas of Witvlei, Summerdown, Omitara, Steinhaussen and communal areas, particularly in Otjinene, Eiseb and Tallismanus.
-ohembapu@nepc.com.na