Cattle thieves should be made suffer, says MP

A SWAPO MP from Omusati Region wants heavy punishment imposed on cattle thieves as a deterrent.

She says she regards cattle as among the precious possessions of people. “Livestock, especially to us blacks, are precious assets,” Generosa Andowa told the National Council yesterday.She was making a contribution to the debate on the Stock Theft Amendment Bill, one of the many bills referred to the House for review.Andowa, who is the councillor for Anamulenge constituency, said cattle are used to solve a lot of problems in families.For example in the Oshiwambo tradition, she said, if there is omukaga (an Oshiwambo word for a lack of food in a homestead), a man can slaughter one of his cattle and invite his fellow villagers to get meat in exchange for mahangu millet.When death occurs in a family, the family of the deceased need cattle to slaughter for the mourners, she said.And if there is a wedding, people slaughter cattle to feed the guests.Andowa said when a person kills someone, it is mostly cattle that are given to the victim’s family as compensation.Against this background, Andowa supported the bill.As far as she was concerned, she said, it was overdue.The Stock Theft Amendment Bill was passed by the National Assembly last month, despite being described as “draconian” by some lawmakers.Congress of Democrats MP Nora Schimming-Chase wanted the jail sentence for cattle thieves reduced to five years for a first offence and a maximum of 10 years for a subsequent conviction.She said it was out of balance when compared to sentences meted out for rape and murder.But Home Affairs Minister Jerry Ekandjo argued that the maximum penalty of 20 years for theft of livestock valued at more than N$500 was aimed at deterring would-be criminals.In terms of the bill, a subsequent conviction would mean a minimum punishment of 30 years.”Livestock, especially to us blacks, are precious assets,” Generosa Andowa told the National Council yesterday.She was making a contribution to the debate on the Stock Theft Amendment Bill, one of the many bills referred to the House for review.Andowa, who is the councillor for Anamulenge constituency, said cattle are used to solve a lot of problems in families.For example in the Oshiwambo tradition, she said, if there is omukaga (an Oshiwambo word for a lack of food in a homestead), a man can slaughter one of his cattle and invite his fellow villagers to get meat in exchange for mahangu millet.When death occurs in a family, the family of the deceased need cattle to slaughter for the mourners, she said.And if there is a wedding, people slaughter cattle to feed the guests.Andowa said when a person kills someone, it is mostly cattle that are given to the victim’s family as compensation.Against this background, Andowa supported the bill.As far as she was concerned, she said, it was overdue. The Stock Theft Amendment Bill was passed by the National Assembly last month, despite being described as “draconian” by some lawmakers.Congress of Democrats MP Nora Schimming-Chase wanted the jail sentence for cattle thieves reduced to five years for a first offence and a maximum of 10 years for a subsequent conviction.She said it was out of balance when compared to sentences meted out for rape and murder.But Home Affairs Minister Jerry Ekandjo argued that the maximum penalty of 20 years for theft of livestock valued at more than N$500 was aimed at deterring would-be criminals.In terms of the bill, a subsequent conviction would mean a minimum punishment of 30 years.