Two pensioners are among the 14 men arrested in connection with the poaching of seven rhinos in the Etosha National Park, and one at a nearby farm.
Omusati regional police commander commissioner Ismael Basson confirmed the arrests this week.
Among those arrested are Thomas Jafet (66), also known as ‘Familia’, and Timoteus Amuthenu (60). They were apprehended on 22 April.
Another suspect, Andreas Shanghala (35), is from Oshuukwa village in the Okahao constituency of the Omusati region.
Ndeulikusa Kunasha (56) is from Onheleiwa village in the Etayi constituency.
The police also arrested Petrus Mumbala (47), a resident of Oluvango village in the Anamulenge constituency. Mumbala, who works as a fisherman in Cape Town, was arrested on 31 January. Tjambiru Vetengapo (30) from Okauua village in the Kunene region is also among the suspects.
Another suspect, Kapenduka Ruhozu (35), originally from Ohungumure village in the Kunene region, told the police he is a businessman operating in Oshakati’s Evululuko location, where he owns Lashall Bar.
Paulus Matias (25) from Oshifo in the Ruacana constituency in the Omusati region was arrested on 2 May.
Other suspects include Efraim Malakia (30), from Uutsathima village in the Okahao constituency, and Levisiana Muzuma (33), from Tjangee village in the Ruacana constituency.
The police also apprehended Elifas January (44), allegedly a Meatco employee.
The suspects also include two women, Secilia Fernandu, whose age is unknown, and Ndinelago Awala (34) from Ongulumbashe village in the Omusati region.
Fernandu, an Angolan national, is allegedly employed as a domestic worker at Omahenene in the Omusati region.
The police have also confirmed the arrest of Raphael Tjipito (28), an Angolan national, as well as another Angolan national, Ndapohoni Haufiku (24).
Ministry of Environment and Tourism spokesperson Vilho Hangula on Tuesday said eight rhinos have been poached so far this year, four black and four white.
“Of these, seven were poached in the Etosha National Park and another white rhino at a private farm. In 2025 we had nine rhinos poached during the same period (from Jan to April),” he said.
According to Hangula, four incidents took place in the western part of the Etosha National Park, while three were recorded in the eastern part of the park.
He said only four rhinos were killed in the Omusati area.
He, however, declined to comment on the issue of traditional healers performing rituals to shield alleged poachers, saying such information is sensitive.
“The ministry would rather not pronounce itself on this information as it is sensitive and may jeopardise ongoing investigations,” he said.
All the suspects have appeared in court.
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