Khorixas stock theft figures drastically lowered

THE arrival of the Kunene Regional Police Commander at Khorixas earlier this week appears to have brought a sense of order to an ongoing drama involving the alleged theft of hundreds of head of livestock from the surrounding area.

Commissioner Festus Shilongo arrived in Khorixas on Monday, and immediately ordered a recount of the goats, cattle and sheep that have been held under Police guard at three farms in the Khorixas district since January. Nine men were initially arrested in connection with the series of thefts, and five of them are awaiting trial.No charges were brought against the other four.Speaking to The Namibian on Tuesday, Shilongo said that reports fed to the media by Police sources as well as community members, that more than 7 000 head of livestock had been stolen, were incorrect.This figure included livestock which legitimately belonged to the suspects in these cases, he said.The Police have confirmed that a total of 322 animals were stolen from farmers in the community, and these now need to be returned to their rightful owners.Following the recount on Tuesday morning, Shilongo confirmed that 193 goats, 23 sheep and 1 cow were stolen at the farm !Gobspost.The men who have been formally charged with stealing these animals are Nico Kahuku (31) and Elias Munenuela (47).At the farm Middelplaas, 55 goats and two cattle have been confirmed stolen.Kahupilo Kavi (53) and Cleophas Tjiunduwa (36) are charged with this theft.At the third farm, Oshakati, 46 goats and two sheep were found not to belong to the suspect, Rutjindo Clahimua (68), the Regional Commander said.Tjiunduwa, a teacher at Khorixas, is also suspected of being the mastermind behind the spate of thefts, according to sources at the town.According to the Regional Commander, all these suspects are currently behind bars, despite their being granted bail less than a month ago.Among their bail conditions was a stipulation that the men were to release all stolen livestock back into the hands of their rightful owners.When this stipulation was not adhered to, the community of Khorixas, led by Ditsa-I-Mu (DIM), a community stock-theft prevention group, asked the Magistrate’s Court at the town to consider withdrawing the suspects’ bail.Following this request, the court last week ordered the re-arrest of the suspects who were out on bail, and by the weekend, they were all back behind bars, Shilongo said.As for the fate of the stolen animals, the Regional Commander says they will be kept right where they are until a verdict is delivered in court.Alternatively, the animals may be reunited with their rightful owners before such a time if the suspects decide to come clean and identify the farms from where they stole the livestock.Stock theft continues to be a grave concern at the town, Shilongo said.Another suspect was arrested on Monday night, after allegedly stealing seven cattle from a farm outside Khorixas.Nine men were initially arrested in connection with the series of thefts, and five of them are awaiting trial.No charges were brought against the other four.Speaking to The Namibian on Tuesday, Shilongo said that reports fed to the media by Police sources as well as community members, that more than 7 000 head of livestock had been stolen, were incorrect.This figure included livestock which legitimately belonged to the suspects in these cases, he said.The Police have confirmed that a total of 322 animals were stolen from farmers in the community, and these now need to be returned to their rightful owners.Following the recount on Tuesday morning, Shilongo confirmed that 193 goats, 23 sheep and 1 cow were stolen at the farm !Gobspost.The men who have been formally charged with stealing these animals are Nico Kahuku (31) and Elias Munenuela (47).At the farm Middelplaas, 55 goats and two cattle have been confirmed stolen.Kahupilo Kavi (53) and Cleophas Tjiunduwa (36) are charged with this theft.At the third farm, Oshakati, 46 goats and two sheep were found not to belong to the suspect, Rutjindo Clahimua (68), the Regional Commander said.Tjiunduwa, a teacher at Khorixas, is also suspected of being the mastermind behind the spate of thefts, according to sources at the town.According to the Regional Commander, all these suspects are currently behind bars, despite their being granted bail less than a month ago.Among their bail conditions was a stipulation that the men were to release all stolen livestock back into the hands of their rightful owners.When this stipulation was not adhered to, the community of Khorixas, led by Ditsa-I-Mu (DIM), a community stock-theft prevention group, asked the Magistrate’s Court at the town to consider withdrawing the suspects’ bail.Following this request, the court last week ordered the re-arrest of the suspects who were out on bail, and by the weekend, they were all back behind bars, Shilongo said.As for the fate of the stolen animals, the Regional Commander says they will be kept right where they are until a verdict is delivered in court.Alternatively, the animals may be reunited with their rightful owners before such a time if the suspects decide to come clean and identify the farms from where they stole the livestock.Stock theft continues to be a grave concern at the town, Shilongo said.Another suspect was arrested on Monday night, after allegedly stealing seven cattle from a farm outside Khorixas.