NDF members arrested for poaching

Three members of the Namibian Defence Force (NDF) were arrested in Mangetti National Park on Friday.

This was confirmed by Ministry of Environment, Forestry and Tourism spokesperson Romeo Muyunda yesterday.

“Park officials conducted a routine anti-poaching patrol and fence inspection in Mangetti National Park, and found the three members of the NDF crossing the Mangetti fence to Mururani location with bags of dried eland, kudu and wildebeest meat without a permit,” he said.

According to Muyunda, one of the members nearly escaped and confirmed that the game meat was not authorised.

The poached meat is allegedly worth N$22 450.
The NDF members allegedly used a service rifle and made biltong of the meat.

Muyunda expressed his disappointment in the fact that people entrusted with the responsibility of looking after the park were allegedly committing these crimes.

“It’s really incomprehensible and dissappointig that those charged with protecting our wildlife and natural resources are the ones plundering them.

“There is no doubt that uniformed forces have been integral in the fight against wildlife crime.

“However, we have experienced situations in which individuals are taking this responsibility lightly and indulge in illegal activities,” she said.

The suspects are all men, and are 28, 37 and 40 years old.
They are expected to appear in court at Rundu on Monday.