While government is involved in concerted efforts to contain the continuous outbreak of Foot and Mouth Disease in the Zambezi region, cattle rustlers are taking advantage of the situation by smuggling stolen livestock into Zambia where the market is said to be thriving.
The police said an ox, which could sell at around N$7 000 in Namibia, is being sold between N$12 000 to N$15 000 in Zambia.
The Zambezi region has, over the years, suffered great setbacks after numerous crippling FMD outbreaks in areas like the Kabbe and Katima Rural districts.
Although cattle theft into neighbouring Zambia has been common in the region, robberies carried out through various syndicates are said to have increased during the festive season.
Zambezi crime investigations coordinator Evans Simasiku confirmed the latest cattle smuggling syndicate activities to New Era yesterday.
Simasiku highlighted that stolen cattle are driven into Zambia where there is a lucrative market for slaughtering, unlike in the Zambezi region where Meatco is partly closed and farmers cannot sell their animals due to FDM.
In the latest incident, Simasiku said the Namibian Police, with the assistance of their Zambian counterparts, nabbed five cattle rustlers on Saturday at Kazungula in Zambia.
The five, of whom three are Namibians, and two Zambians, are remanded in custody at Kazungula police station.
A total of 30 stolen livestock have since been recovered in this matter and arrangements are underway for owners to get their livestock back.
“It’s a yearly syndicate, but it got worse during the festive season when cattle rustlers are looking for quick cash. There is a better market in Zambia. The thieves are using this chance because of the FMD situation in the region. But this should not give an advantage to farmers to sell animals to foreigners. We are trying to root out all those who were and are involved in these syndicates,” Simasiku said.
The market for cattle smugglers in Zambia is found at Kaungamashi, Shangombo, Mutomena, Natukoma, Senanga, Sioma, Mulobezi, Sankolonga, Sikaonzwe and Livingstone districts.
Kabbe South councillor John Likando said although there are permanent roadblocks in both Kabbe areas and part of Katima Mulilo Rural, cattle theft continues to be on the rise.
“There is no market for livestock because Meatco is partially closed and that’s why people are smuggling livestock into Zambia where they can get better markets. Cattle theft is very high because the Zambezi River is shallow and these criminals push the cattle into the river so they swim across into Zambia,” Likando explained.
The criminals allegedly make use of dugout canoes to follow the livestock as they swim across the river.
Likando called for more permanent patrols in the constituency and along the Zambezi River to curb such illegal activities.
Simasiku has cautioned villagers to avoid selling their livestock to people who do not have national documents. Equally, he advised any farmer who intends on selling animals should inform their village induna (headman).
“I am urging people along the Zambezi River to be on the lookout, should they hear any movement of livestock by the river. They should notify their neighbours or the police so criminals are rounded up,” Simasiku appealed.
– anakale@nepc.com.na