Deon Schlechter
SEËIS – The Namibian Police Force is to launch a full-scale investigation into their own after several complaints were received from Seëis residents and farmers about a herd of some 250 goats, allegedly belonging to the police personnel of the Seëis Police Station, which has become a grave danger to motorists on the B6 from Windhoek to Gobabis.
Deputy Commissioner Martha Shambo of the Internal Investigation Department of the police confirmed that swift action will follow after she received these complaints. “I have already handed over the complaints and relevant documentation to the chief investigation officers and a proper investigation into the dangerous situation will follow soon,” she confirmed.
Farmers Forum reported last week about the Roads Authority’s concern about the increase in the number of animals (cattle and other domestic animals) grazing within the road reserves of the national road network, as well as the unauthorised cutting of grass along these roads.
The situation is described as posing a grave danger to motorists which could cause fatal motor vehicle accidents, according to a statement by the corporate communication section of the CEO’s office.
Residents and farmers in the Seëis area say the situation with the big herd of goats has become unbearable.
Shambo confirmed that one of the complaints stated that the herd “grazes illegally on the shoulders of the B6 and crosses the road twice a day which poses a real threat to motorists, tourists and farmers travelling on the main road to Gobabis.”
Farmers Forum has also learned that the herd of some 250 goats is set free each morning to graze next to the road where fresh blades of grass are plentiful after late rains in April. It transpired that these goats are kept overnight on a small plot belonging to a communal farmer who acts as a host for the police goats on his 25-hectare plot during the night.
These goats belong to senior police officers at the Seëis station and the goats are set free to roam the main road and cross at will, causing a serious danger to motorists.
Every afternoon at about 17:00, the situation is reversed when these goats cross the road again to be sheltered at the plot overnight, repeating the dangerous situation for travellers by car.
It is alleged that the senior police officer in charge of the goat herd has refused to stop the goats grazing next to the road and claimed that ‘the roads belong to the government.’
The investigation comes in the wake of the RA requesting the public and livestock owners to keep their animals within fenced-off grazing areas and away from the road reserve on national roads at all times.
The RA also issued a stern warning that the RA will follow the necessary legal procedures to ensure that any person who contravenes the provisions of the Road Ordinance will be dealt with in accordance with the law.
Also of great concern is the increasing number of people cutting grass along the national roads.
“In accordance with the Road Ordinance (Ordinance 17 of 1972) a farm owner, lessee or occupier of a farm who intends to cut grass within the road reserve that crosses his/her farm must obtain permission from the RA District Office in whose jurisdiction that land lies to enter the road reserve. The request for permission must be accompanied by documentation showing proof of ownership, leasing or of occupation of the land in question,” reads the notice.
According to the statement, any person who intends to cut grass within the national road reserve and who is not the owner, lessee or occupier of the land must also apply for permission at the relevant RA office with an original signed letter from the owner, lessee or occupier of the land that grants permission to him/her to cut grass within the national road reserve.
The permission letter must also be accompanied by a signed document of proof of ownership, leasing or of occupation of the person giving permission.