Slaughtered

Farmers in the Outjo area are full of praise for the Namibian Police's Major General Joseph Shikongo, who made a breakthrough against wildlife and livestock theft in the area this past weekend through swift action.

During the operation, several informal abattoirs were discovered on farms in the vicinity of Biermanskool. Shikongo deployed about 50 police officers from the Kunene Region and a police helicopter to the area, while the Excelsior Farmers Association's crime prevention forum's K9 unit helped root out the suspected thieves' weapons.

The Nyime anti-poaching unit was also involved in the bust.

Police discovered a total of 51 slaughtered oxen as well as game stolen from the Otjikondo area. The value of the cattle alone is estimated at about N$600 000.

Working together

Excelsior chairman Piet Prinsloo told Namibian Sun’s sister publication Republikein that although the incident took place in the Otjikondo area, their forum was well equipped and they were able to provide assistance with their vehicle and dogs.

He said he received information about poaching in the area, which he shared with Shikongo.

"He works well with our farmers. In collaboration with the Kunene’s regional commander, Commissioner James Nderura, he sent a team of Opuwo officials to investigate.

"He also made a police helicopter available," he said.

While the police were in the area to investigate the case, the poachers hunted another kudu on farm Miltiades, Prinsloo said. "Farmers in the area heard the shot.”

Man’s best friend

When the suspected poachers were caught, they refused to tell the police where their weapons were, and this is when Excelsior's K9 unit was roped in to help with the operation, he said. Several weapons were seized in the process.

The dogs in the K9 unit are “extremely well trained”, Prinsloo said, adding that the association solved three other cases with the help of their furry friends last week.

Meanwhile, he suspects that the stock thieves are part of a larger syndicate.

One of the suspects arrested during the bust – whose name cannot be released until he appears in court – is also believed to be linked to other crimes.

Gunning for kingpins

Piet Gouws, the president of the Namibia Agricultural Union, who also farms in the area, told Namibia Media Holdings that the farmers' association and its crime prevention forum had good success over the weekend and they hope to catch the syndicate’s ‘kingpins’ as well.

"We really had outstanding cooperation from the police," he added.

Prinsloo mentioned that he met Shikongo at Ombika about a month and a half ago and asked him to help the farmers bring down the suspected syndicate.

"He’s definitely a man of his word; he helped us.”