Stock theft in Namibia

Nguni Cow Herd (Otjozondjupa Region)

Stock theft is the act of unlawfully and intentionally stealing of livestock. In Namibia it is particularly concentrated in Okakarara constituency in Otjozondjupa region where there are more farms. The animals are slaughtered for human consumption or sold at actions for money gain.^[1]

Prevention

Otjiwarongo members of the Namibian Police (NAMPOL) and the nearby farmers in the Otjozondjupa Region have struggled to check the increase in stock thefts in the area. Otjozundjupa Regional Police Commissioner Joseph Anghuwo has described stock theft in the region as a big tough thing to farmers as well as to the police in large. Based on the statistics given by Nampol sixty-eight cases of stock theft were reported while the police dealt with 10 cases of illegal hunting during the period from January–March 2012. Joseph Anghuwo have also pointed out that upon taking up the office in 2007, it was decided to organize communal and commercial farmers in the region which led to the creation of a farmers association, which went on to become a crime prevention forum.^[2]

Motives

According to Anghuwo suspects have identified the following as the main reason why the attempted to steal:

• Some of the suspects arrested due to cattle theft have claim that that is the only way they can put something on the table for themselves and families.
• Due to the fact that Namibia have a high unemployment rate, It has forced people to steal.^[3]

Impact

Commercial and communal farmers throughout Namibia have suffered losses of at least N$600,000 due to stock theft in 2009, when 101 head of cattle, 93 sheep and 151 goats had been either stolen or slaughtered from January to July. It was highlighted that most of the animals theft are done by people between the age of 16 years to 24 years.^[4] There is a supposed syndicate of stock thieves operating in the area of Seeis, Steinhausen and Hochfeld, mainly using assegais to kill cattle.^[5]

References