Pastor suspended from his post

THE Lutheran Pastor at Koës, 130 km southeast of Keetmanshoop, has been relieved of all pastoral duties after he was implicated in a stock-theft charge.

Pastor Gustav Rooi (42) was arrested by the Keetmanshoop Police two weeks ago, after 15 of 29 goats stolen from a commercial farmer were found at his farm Langberg, near Koës. There was no trace of the remaining 14 goats, valued at N$21 500.Three other men were arrested in connection with the theft of the goats.Their case had been postponed until March next year for further investigation.Rooi was released after he was fined N$300 for transporting livestock without a valid permit.The Dean of the Evangelical Lutheran Church for the Keetmanshoop Circuit, Simon Petrus Tiboth, yesterday confirmed that Rooi was temporarily removed from his post pending a disciplinary hearing against him.The disciplinary hearing is scheduled for January 13 next year.There was no trace of the remaining 14 goats, valued at N$21 500.Three other men were arrested in connection with the theft of the goats.Their case had been postponed until March next year for further investigation.Rooi was released after he was fined N$300 for transporting livestock without a valid permit.The Dean of the Evangelical Lutheran Church for the Keetmanshoop Circuit, Simon Petrus Tiboth, yesterday confirmed that Rooi was temporarily removed from his post pending a disciplinary hearing against him.The disciplinary hearing is scheduled for January 13 next year.