Zebaldt Ngaruka
Communal and commercial farmers in both Omaheke and Otjozondjupa regions continue to suffer huge losses at the hands of unrepentant cattle rustlers, who steal and slaughter cattle in a cruel and inhumane fashion.
The latest case is that of a Simmentaler stud bull of farmer Louis Steyn, who farms at Farm Highlands in the Otjozondjupa region. Farm Highlands is situated about 8 kilometres east of Grootfontein.
Steyn’s Simmentaler bull, valued at close to N$45 000 and was a thoroughbred stud, was brutally killed by callous cattle rustlers, who cut the animal into pieces and left the remaining carcass in the open field to rot.
The reason or motive behind such a cruel act remains unknown, and farmers in the surrounding areas were left shocked and dismayed by the act, which continues to rob farmers of their animals and hard-earned investments.
A disheartened Steyn told AgriToday that he was deeply hurt to witness his topline bull being slaughtered in such a painful way, which is a huge loss to his farming operations.
“This is not the first time for our animals to be killed in such hurtful ways. Six cattle were also recently stabbed with spears and the perpetrators are yet to be arrested. The Namibian police is doing little to assist farmers in this fight against the poachers,” said Steyn, who has been running successful farming operations since 2011.
He only discovered his valuable bull’s rotting carcass through a tip-off from his security team on the farm, who were patrolling and came across the terrible scene.
“It is heartbreaking. I bought this bull last year, and it has now died even before its offsprings are born, which is a big loss. I paid N$45 000 for that bull – and now it’s gone in a very painful manner. One wonders the purpose of killing an animal in such a cruel fashion and wasting the meat. You cannot be hungry and do that. Cutting with pangas and spears is an inhumane act. The police must help us,” he appealed.
He added that he has reported many similar cases to the police, but no arrest has been made up to now. The cases continue unabated.
“I have my own security, and it now seems like I also need to strengthen it further. I am not saying the police are not working, but we are at risk, and perpetrators are repeatedly coming for us.”
Steyn also shared that he has requested the Municipality of Grootfontein to put strict regulations in place to ensure the legality of the meat being sold at the town’s various markets and kapana stalls.
“This might help in catching the offenders and minimising their wrongful activities.”
Queried about the rising cattle theft and animal cruelty incidents in the region, Otjozondjupa Nampol spokesperson Maureen Mbeha said it is true that the bull was killed at Farm Highlands, and Steyn alerted the police to be on the lookout for someone who might be selling parts of bull meat in the area.
“It is a very brutal act – and as we speak now, police investigations into the matter is underway, as the owner opened a case at the Grootfontein police station,” said Mbeha.
Omaheke farmers bemoan animal cruelty
Meanwhile, farmers in the Omaheke region are equally grappling with the same issue – rising cattle theft and general animal cruelty by suspected poachers.
Recently, at Kalkpan village in the Epukiro constituency, farmers were left reeling in shock after a heavily pregnant cow was mysteriously stabbed and left with deep open cuts on its hips and other areas.
It is suspected that thievery was behind the incident, but after the rustlers failed in their attempt to kill and steal the cow, they seemingly decided to brutally cut it open and leave it to rot and die.
The owner of the cow, Akas Katjiteo, shared with AgriToday that by the grace of God, the cow managed to survive the deep wounds and eventually gave birth to a healthy female calf.
“I am happy and very thankful for you, the media people, who spread the news about the incident fast for other farmers to also be on the lookout. The Harnas Veterinary Services doctor and our constituency division of veterinary services responded quickly and helped immensely,” said Katjiteo.
Katjiteo also commended his fellow Kalkpan residents for their tireless efforts in searching for the suspects behind this cruel act.
“It is a bad episode of my life, and my other cow that was also grazing with this one is still missing, and it was equally pregnant at the time. This is a difficult period of the year. Drought has hit our region, and this cow helps to sustain the family with omaere and its young calf with milk. I can only be thankful,” he added.
Asked whether stock theft is still prevailing in the area following his cow’s gruesome incident, Katjiteo said, since that astonishing day, no cases or incidents of thievery have been observed at Kalkpan.
“This can be attributed to the fact that the community is now cooperating and working around the clock to eliminate stock theft in the area. We are all now on high alert and going after those perpetrators.”
Epukiro constituency made headlines late last year when cases of cattle stabbing in other places like Otjijarua and Ozombouvapa reached alarming levels.
According to a report released by the Eastern Epukiro Farmers Association and the constituency councillor’s office, farmers lost about 143 cattle to theft between October last and March 2024 in the whole of Epukiro. - zngaruka@yahoo.com