Three suspects have been arrested in separate incidents in Oshikoto for cattle theft with a combined value of N$81 500.
Two of the suspects were apprehended at Ondangwa Open Market on Tuesday, where they were found trying to sell 11 cattle, which were stolen from the kraal of Matheus Kathindi (40) at Oshaapa village in Oniipa, says Oshikoto regional crime investigations coordinator Naomi Katjiua.
“When the complainant noticed that some cattle were missing, he informed community members, who assisted in tracking down the suspect, leading up to Ondangwa Open Market, and notified the police. All 11 cattle were recovered, and were valued at N$73 000,” said Katjiua.
The suspects, aged 21 and 23, whose identity is known, will appear in the Ondangwa Magistrate’s Court today.
The other incident happened on Monday in the vicinity of Oshivelo, and involves a 22 year male residing at Farm Six, who allegedly, with his escapee accomplice, slaughtered a cow at farm Kakuse Number 303 in the Oshivelo district without the owner’s consent.
“The suspects were seen by farmworkers, who were on patrol and alerted the owner, who came and arrested one of the suspects, while the second suspect fled by jumping from the vehicle of the complainant before the police’s arrival. The suspect is well known, and efforts to arrest him are underway,” stated the police detective.
The cattle valued at N$8 500 belong to Ulrich Hoffman (57) and only recovered half of the carcass.
The suspect will appear in the Tsumeb Magistrate’s Court today.