By Wezi Tjaronda
WINDHOEK
The Kunene Region is experiencing an increase in cases of stock theft.
The crime comprises more than half of all the cases that the region handles, Police Regional Commander of Kunene Region Commissioner Mandume Shifonono said on Wednesday.
He said, “Stock thefts in Kunene north and poaching in Kunene south give me a headache.”
Both the commissioner and the Ngatuuane Farmers’ Union said most of the cases involved Angolan citizens who cross the border to steal cattle, which they barter for food.
“Most cases are committed by Angolans with dual citizenship,” said Shifonono, adding that culprits include illegal immigrants with no identity documents who are looking for a means of survival.
Angolans and Namibians are free to enter the two countries within a distance of 60 km.
Vice-president of the farmers union Ben Kapi said some cattle crossed into the Angolan border area making it difficult to not only apprehend the culprits but also to recover the stolen animals.
Compounding the problem is lack of brand marks on most cattle belonging to mostly the Ovahimba community. The Tjimhiva Traditional Authority also said cattle that have moved into the Omakange area for grazing risked being stolen and never to be recovered because of lack of brand marks.
Kapi said many communal farmers did not put brand marks on their cattle because they thought it was a move by the Government to penalize farmers with the most number of livestock.
“They thought it was for political reasons so they are not applying for brand marks,” said Kapi.
The police sometimes face problems in finalizing cases for prosecution because community members are not willing to act as witnesses.
Commissioner Shifonono said people were ignorant and did not know the law.
“Sometimes we trace the stolen cattle and arrest the suspect, but the owner comes and asks for the cattle and the suspect to deal with them the traditional way,” he said.
He added that the owners of the stolen cattle are also not willing to give out information that would lead to the arrest of the suspects because they do not want to be witnesses.
“It is hard to work with a community like this,” he added.
The Commissioner said the police are establishing police public relations committees to educate the community on the duties of the police for them to help rid the region of criminal activities.
Apart from stock theft and poaching, the region has many community members that have unlicensed firearms.
Most of the firearms were given to residents during the pre independence period to protect themselves against wild animals. The firearms include 303s and Mozas.
Many of the firearms have been impounded and the police are awaiting instructions on what to do with them.
Shifonono said most residents inherited the firearms from their relatives and do not have licences.
According to law, a holder of a firearm must be of good character and is supposed to have a safe in which to keep the weapon. Although most people own guns, Shifonono said crimes committed with guns are few.
“People are very traditional here. They keep a gun to show their bravery. They normally don’t use them,” he added.