Traditional Authority distances itself from poaching

THE Ovambanderu Traditional Authority has distanced itself from this past weekend’s poaching incident, in which Charles Nguvauva, eldest son of Acting Chief Peter Nguvauva, and his two sons are charged.

Uazenga Ngahahe-Tjiposa, spokesperson for the authority, told The Namibian that Nguvauva and his sons were acting in their personal capacity, and that the authority had not approached them to source any meat for a gathering held over the weekend.
The three were arrested in the Epukiro area of the Omaheke Region on Friday, after a high-speed chase by farmers in the Steinhausen area, where the trio allegedly illegally hunted a gemsbok, a kudu, two hartebeest and a duiker. The hartebeest and duiker are protected species.
The three were charged on three counts – illegal hunting of huntable game, illegal hunting of protected species, and corrupt use of a Government vehicle for personal purppses. Charles Nguvauva is a driver for the Ministry of Youth, National Service, Sport and Culture.
According to reports received by The Namibian, Nguvauva had stated that they were hunting for meat for a Mbanderu gathering held over the weekend.
Ngahahe-Tjiposa said preparations for the gathering had already been made beforehand, and Acting Chief Peter Nguvauva had not been aware of plans to illegally hunt animals.
‘The Ovambanderu Traditional Authority is a recognised authority, it is part of Government, we are represented in all the constituencies across the country, and we are custodians of the law of the country. Hence, we would never involve the authority in any illegal activity such as this,’ said Ngahahe-Tjiposa.
Meanwhile, Deputy Minister of Youth and Sport Pohamba Shifeta has issued a stern warning, saying that Government vehicles are meant to be used for, and not against, the public interest.
Shifeta said he had received a report on the matter, and that his Ministry would send a team to the Omaheke Region this week to investigate the matter.
He added that an investigation into a separate incident at Karasburg is also continuing, in which a Ministry employee allegedly stole sheep from a farm using a Government vehicle.
‘These are serious issues of misconduct. Even if the driver was authorised to use the vehicle during the weekend, it should have been used for the official duty for which it was designated, and not for personal use.’
Charles Nguvauva and his 22-year-old son, Mangondo Nguvauva, have been released on bail of N$2000 each after appearing in court on Monday. The 17-year-old boy was released into the custody of his mother.
The three are set to appear in court on March 9 for their plea hearing. – nangula@namibian.com.na