Farmer impounds stray donkeys, demands N$500 or 20 kg mahangu

An Ositi village farmer in the Oshikoto region is demanding either N$500 in compensation or 20 kilograms of mahangu grain from the owners of a herd of donkeys she has impounded for two months after they allegedly destroyed her pearl millet crops.

Rachel Jacobus says the number of impounded donkeys has already dwindled from eight to four after some owners allegedly removed their animals from her kraal at night without first compensating her for the damage.

"At first, there were eight donkeys, but some owners stole them at night, which is very frustrating," she told Namibian Sun.

"Now, with only four remaining, I seek at least N$500 in compensation from the donkey owners for the damage they have caused."

Not daunted by the owners' potential financial constraints, Jacobus added that 20 kg of mahangu would settle the debt just as well.

The dispute highlights growing tensions between crop farmers and livestock owners in northern Namibia, where stray animals often damage fields that families rely on for food security.

Jacobus said she impounded the donkeys after repeated incidents of grazing in her mahangu field and insists the remaining animals will only be released once an agreement on compensation has been reached.

She added that while the donkeys are not being fed, she allows them access to water once a week to prevent them from dying.

"I have to take them out to drink to ensure they don't die in captivity. All I want is for the owners to come forth and agree to compensate me before they take their donkeys back," she said.

Negotiations underway

Tusneld Haufiku, who shares a field with Jacobus, supported the demands, saying the donkeys have caused substantial damage to their crops and that owners should take responsibility for controlling their animals.

One of the animals’ owners, Petrus Nuukongo of Omangundu B village, said he has been searching for two missing donkeys for an extended period and only recently discovered that they had been impounded.

Nuukongo said one of the donkeys had a foal that later died, allegedly due to a lack of food. While he acknowledged that the animals had strayed, he said he would not pursue damages over the foal's death.

Another owner, Johannes Amateta, argued that he should not be held liable because he had rented the animals to a neighbour for ploughing and they were under the neighbour's care at the time.

Despite the disagreement, Nuukongo agreed to compensate Jacobus with two 20-litre buckets of mahangu grain, resulting in the release of some of the animals while discussions continue involving the remaining owners.

Established protocols

However, Ondonga Traditional Authority secretary Frans Enkali criticised the handling of the matter, saying farmers should involve traditional leaders before impounding livestock or determining compensation.

"We observe many households that do not respect traditional authority laws. Yet, when they need land, they seek the headman's assistance. This is not acceptable," Enkali said.

He stressed that compensation for crop damage should be determined through established traditional structures and warned that keeping animals for prolonged periods without adequate access to water and food amounts to animal cruelty.

Enkali urged both livestock owners and crop farmers to work through traditional authorities to resolve disputes and maintain harmony within their communities.

Animal cruelty in Namibia is governed by the Animals Protection Act, which criminalises beating, starving, abandoning or failing to provide adequate care for animals, with offenders liable to fines or imprisonment.

Enforcement and rescue operations are led by SPCA Namibia.