The veld fire, which started at the farm Gaus in the Otavi Mountain Conservancy on Wednesday afternoon, also killed countless birds, said Robert Simasiku.

Farmers and a team from the Ministry put out the fire on Saturday.

Simasiku said five eland, five kudu, 20 warthogs, 10 duikers and 10 steenbok were killed by the veld fire.

Five farms were affected, with the damage to infrastructure, particularly to fences, estimated at between N$70 000 and N$100 000.

According to the information Simasiku received, the fire was caused by NBC employees working on a transmission tower in the area.

He said the NBC employees decided to cook a meal and when they left, they did not put of the fire properly.

When the wind started blowing, the fire spread.

Recent studies have shown that the eight regions worst affected by veld fires in Namibia are Caprivi, Kavango, Otjozondjupa, Omaheke, Omusati, Kunene, Oshikoto and Khomas.

Local News Headlines Of The Last 48 Hours

•  Hishongwa hits out at 'newcomers'
•  Doctors to court over dispensing rights
•  Project money missing
•  N$20 000 fine for computer corruption
•  Police kill suspect after 'struggle'
•  Union wants NHE bosses' heads
•  2008 a year of political violence: DTA
•  Gender violence takes centre stage
•  Employers of disabled people awarded
•  Closure of copper mines adds gloom to Nam mining outlook
•  78 Zim farmers win land case
•  Floodgates open over Windhoek
•  Everyone except Swapo to blame for the violence, claims President