Pastor charged with stealing 29 goats to add to his flock

The pastor of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in the Republic of Namibia (ELCRN) at Koës, 130 km southeast of Keetmanshoop, was arrested on Wednesday for allegedly stealing 29 goats from a commercial farmer.

Reverend Gustav Rooi (42) was charged with stock theft and will appear today in Keetmanshoop Magistrate’s Court. Fifteen stolen goats were recovered at his farm Langberg, near Koës.The remaining 14 goats, valued at N$21 500, remain at large.The owner of the goats, Gieliam Bothma (67) told Police he suspected the stolen goats were at Rooi’s farm.He said he received a tip-off from farmworkers.Rooi’s farm was given to him in a land resettlement arrangement after the farm was expropriated from a white farmer.The Stock Theft Amendment Act (2004) prescribes a prison term of not less than 20 years without the option of a fine for first-time offenders convicted of stealing livestock valued at more than N$500.Dr Zephania Kameeta, Bishop of the ELCRN, was aware of the charges and said, “We all are waiting to hear the outcome of the court case.We want the law to take its course.”Fifteen stolen goats were recovered at his farm Langberg, near Koës.The remaining 14 goats, valued at N$21 500, remain at large.The owner of the goats, Gieliam Bothma (67) told Police he suspected the stolen goats were at Rooi’s farm.He said he received a tip-off from farmworkers.Rooi’s farm was given to him in a land resettlement arrangement after the farm was expropriated from a white farmer.The Stock Theft Amendment Act (2004) prescribes a prison term of not less than 20 years without the option of a fine for first-time offenders convicted of stealing livestock valued at more than N$500.Dr Zephania Kameeta, Bishop of the ELCRN, was aware of the charges and said, “We all are waiting to hear the outcome of the court case.We want the law to take its course.”