‘Herero’ cattle confiscated

POLICE and veterinary officials have confiscated and quarantined cattle belonging to Herero-speaking families who invaded the protected Nyae-Nyae conservancy area near Tsumkwe after cutting a veterinary cordon fence.

Two separate sources said yesterday that the cattle will be kept for observation for some time before being released back into the Gam area.However, the Legal Assistance Centre is expected to send a team to the area today to consult the Nyae-Nyae conservancy for a possible High Court interdict to have the five families evicted.Reports emanating from the area continue to express fears about more arrivals of farmers with cattle.It is believed that the Police acted after the local San chief laid a charge with them.The Namibian was unable to verify the information with Detective Inspector Samuel Edward Gariseb, commander of the Tsumkwe Police station, as he was out most of the day and his cellphone was not accessible.On Tuesday Gariseb said the five families had moved in with 132 cattle, 21 donkeys, 15 horses, 16 sheep and 19 goats after cutting the veterinary fence, which prevents the movement of animals in and out of the Nyae-Nyae conservancy area.The five families moved in on Wednesday.The Namibian was told that the Ministry of Environment has no jurisdiction in the matter as the land falls under the Ministry of Lands.The Police have discussed the issue with the regional councillor from the Tsumkwe constituency, Kxao Moses Oma. However, he was also not reachable on his cellphone yesterday.Cabinet decided as early as in 1990 that no one can settle in Nyae-Nyae other than Ju/’hoansi San people.Local people feared that as many as 350 head of cattle had already moved into the area and cannot return to Gam, as they have already crossed the veterinary line.christof@namibian.com.na