Unregistered livestock sparks FMD fears along Orange River

The Namibian police on Monday arrested a suspect living at a long-standing alleged illegal camp along the Orange River, where officers also found a dagga plant and ammunition.Renowned retired wildlife veterinarian and conservationist Dr Pete Morkel, owner of the farms Pelgrimsrust 100 and Kambreek 104, said 350 unmarked goats – including 150 young goats – as well as eight calves and seven unmarked cattle were also discovered at the camp.The suspect was taken to the Warmbad police station, where he remains in custody. According to the //Kharas police, he was due to appear in the Karasburg Magistrate’s Court yesterday on a charge of illegal possession of a dagga plant.Morkel has expressed frustration over the alleged illegal occupation of his land for more than 15 years, which has also led to a five-year legal dispute with a nearby family over land ownership.Risk of FMDThe veterinarian warned of the risk of a foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) outbreak along the Orange River, pointing to “around 50 cattle and 150 goats – all unmarked, unregistered and with an unknown disease status” kept at a camp near the river.Several letters have been sent to the directorate of veterinary services (DVS) in the agriculture ministry to address the matter. Namibian Sun's sister publication Republikein was copied in on all correspondence with the former director of veterinary services, Dr Johannes Shoopala, and other stakeholders. Last week, Dr Kenneth Shoombe was announced as the new director of veterinary services, effective 1 August.Last week, Morkel wrote another official letter to the veterinary authorities, stating that he does not permit any livestock that does not fully comply with Namibia’s animal identification, registration, movement and health regulations, as prescribed by law, to enter or cross Pelgrimsrust 100. Morkel worked as a state vet for many years.“South Africa has been declared and listed as a foot-and-mouth disease infected country, and Namibia is obliged to adhere to European Union regulations and guidelines in this regard,” his letter reads.“Considering the safety and well-being of our own animals, those of our neighbours and the rest of Namibia’s livestock, it is not an option to bring potentially FMD-infected animals to Pelgrimsrust for the DVS to inspect and correct any shortcomings in compliance with our country’s regulations and those of our export partners. DVS will have to find alternative solutions," the letter noted. According to Morkel, animal health technician Pax Mwanawina from the Karasburg DVS office visited Pelgrimsrust 100 last week to conduct a farm inspection as outlined in a DVS letter dated 11 August.“Mwanawina seems eager to tackle the difficult challenges of animal disease control near the border with South Africa. He assessed the situation at Pelgrimsrust 100 but did not attend to Kambreek 104.“Your office’s letter clearly stated that the inspection was for Kambreek (not Pelgrimsrust) and that there would be an 80% kraal inspection of all livestock,” Morkel wrote to DVS last week.Inspection arrangement questioned He said Mwanawina therefore did not go to Kambreek and saw no livestock, even though around 50 cattle and 150 goats – all allegedly unmarked, unregistered and of unknown disease status – are being kept at another family's camp on Kambreek near the Orange River.“When I asked him about this, he said they would be brought to Pelgrimsrust next month for inspection."Morkel highlighted that it is "completely unacceptable" to discover by chance that arrangements had been made to bring livestock onto his property for inspection. He stressed that he refuses to allow livestock that are unmarked, unregistered, of unknown disease status, and reportedly freely mixing with South African cloven-hoofed animals along the Orange River to be brought onto his property.“The risks this poses to our animals, those belonging to local farmers and livestock across Namibia, are incalculable, and it cannot be allowed – especially given the worsening foot-and-mouth situation in South Africa.”Morkel also questioned why South African branding irons are being kept at the camp.Monday night’s arrest followed a visit to the camp by the Karasburg DVS and police.francoise@nmh.com.na

Unregistered livestock sparks FMD fears along Orange River

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Namibian Sun 2026-01-30

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Unregistered livestock sparks FMD fears along Orange River

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Namibian Sun 2026-01-30

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