NEWS - NAMIBIA
| 2013-07-25Police launch anti-stocktheft operation
Nomhle Kangootui
THE Namibian Police says stocktheft has become a national concern and has prompted them to launch a series of anti-stocktheft operations to combat the menace.
The first operation kicked off three days ago in the Ovitoto area.
“The operation in the Ovitoto area went well. We discovered an illegal camp and found 43 stolen calves, 60 head of cattle and 94 goats. We believe that the livestock belongs to farmers in the Otjozondjupa and Khomas region. We have so far also recovered 24 other stolen goats and are still investigating,” Deputy Commissioner Sylvanus Nghishidimbwa said.
One person has been arrested and another ran away, he said adding that the operation will not end in Ovitoto.
“From Ovitoto we are going to another stocktheft hot spot which we have identified. If there are any people suspecting cases of stocktheft in their areas, they should notify the police in their respective areas,” he said.
He said the police is trying to close in on unscrupulous traders who buy and people who sell to them stolen cattle.
“If a businessperson or trader buys meat, the seller must provide you with a permit and the buyer you must be able to provide a receipt when asked to do so. Because there are police investigators that will be visiting informal markets at any time, so be warned,” Nghishidimbwa warned.
Meanwhile, the senior councillor of the Ovitoto area, Daniel Tjiuma, said they appreciate the efforts of the police.
“The stocktheft is getting out of hand. For most farmers their livestock is their sole source of income. There was a time when we started our own protection group but we were told that we are taking the law into our own hands and now we are working with the police but its slow because there is no police vehicle in the area.
“The other thing is, we are baffled how stolen cattle are passing through the roadblock without permits. There is just something wrong but the operation at least helped,” Tjiuma said.
The first operation kicked off three days ago in the Ovitoto area.
“The operation in the Ovitoto area went well. We discovered an illegal camp and found 43 stolen calves, 60 head of cattle and 94 goats. We believe that the livestock belongs to farmers in the Otjozondjupa and Khomas region. We have so far also recovered 24 other stolen goats and are still investigating,” Deputy Commissioner Sylvanus Nghishidimbwa said.
One person has been arrested and another ran away, he said adding that the operation will not end in Ovitoto.
“From Ovitoto we are going to another stocktheft hot spot which we have identified. If there are any people suspecting cases of stocktheft in their areas, they should notify the police in their respective areas,” he said.
He said the police is trying to close in on unscrupulous traders who buy and people who sell to them stolen cattle.
“If a businessperson or trader buys meat, the seller must provide you with a permit and the buyer you must be able to provide a receipt when asked to do so. Because there are police investigators that will be visiting informal markets at any time, so be warned,” Nghishidimbwa warned.
Meanwhile, the senior councillor of the Ovitoto area, Daniel Tjiuma, said they appreciate the efforts of the police.
“The stocktheft is getting out of hand. For most farmers their livestock is their sole source of income. There was a time when we started our own protection group but we were told that we are taking the law into our own hands and now we are working with the police but its slow because there is no police vehicle in the area.
“The other thing is, we are baffled how stolen cattle are passing through the roadblock without permits. There is just something wrong but the operation at least helped,” Tjiuma said.
