BETHANIE – The increase in the number of stock theft cases in Bethanie is worrisome and detrimental to the development of the community.
“Our poor communal farmers are already suffering huge livestock losses from the prevalent and persistent drought and now, to worsen the situation, their little remaining livestock are stolen on a daily basis,” said Thusnelde Frederick, a clerk at the !Aman Community Court in Bethanie.
Frederick told New Era that this situation is forcing farmers to abandon livestock farming as a means of income, and consequently migrate to already over-populated nearby urban towns.
Explaining the role the community court plays in crimes committed, Frederick said they are, unlike magistrate’s courts, seeking offenders to pay compensation towards victims as a means of maintaining law and order traditionally.
“The challenge, especially in stock theft cases reported by owners is that most of the offenders are unemployed and commit these crimes out of desperation to take care of themselves and their families; there is no way they will be able to compensate those who lost their livestock because of theft,” she explained.
Frederick also said: “Most of the time the suspects prefer to be tried through a court of law as they cannot afford to compensate owners who lost their livestock in terms of our customary law.”
She, however, said if the accused or his family are farmers and the accused is convicted of stock theft, the community court orders them to compensate the victim.
However, should they fail to comply with the court order, an execution of the sale of property can be issued accordingly.
On Monday, 11 suspects appeared in Bethanie Community Court on charges of stock theft. Facing the wrath of the law, Aleck Krőhne, who was found guilty of the illegal possession of one cow was sentenced to a fine of N$3 500 or 10 months imprisonment even though the animal has been returned to its lawful owner.
Sources at the court also said two other habitual stock theft offenders were slapped with 26 months imprisonment without the option of a fine.
– sklukowski@nepc.com.na
Caption: Maintaining customary law… !Aman Community Court clerk, Thusnelde Frederick.
Photo: Steven Klukowski