Namibia: More Poachers Arrested in Otjozondjupa

TWO men were fined N$500 each by the Outjo Magistrate's Court this week after they were caught red-handed with stolen meat on a farm in the area last week.

According to Detective Chief Inspector Moses Khairabeb, the regional crime coordinator in the Otjozondjupa Region, the region is coming down hard on criminals, especially poachers. An excuse often given by the poachers is hunger, Khairabeb said yesterday.

"Hunger is not an excuse to commit a crime. They should rather work," he said. Khairabeb added that the Police are aware that the black market for which the poached meat is intended plays a critical role in these crimes.

"The black markets motivate these crimes. They wouldn't slaughter if there weren't markets for the meat."

Khairabeb said the Police are investigating "kapana markets and butcheries" which they suspect are involved in stock theft and poaching in the area.

On Monday, Robert Musongo (29) and Bernadus Tjolole (30) were charged with possession of stolen livestock. They were fined N$300 each or three months' imprisonment.

They were caught last week with illegally slaughtered cattle on the farm Musterland. One suspect suspected to be involved in the poaching is still at large.

Johnny Horaseb, the deputy chairman of the Outjo Crime Prevention Forum, which has been instrumental in creating community awareness and helping the Police in the area, said he is "proud that the community has come together with the Police" to target crime in the area.

Horaseb added that the campaign and the intense working relationship with the Police have contributed to an increase in arrests of stock thieves in the region.

In addition, the arrests have increased the trust between the community and the Police.

"Those who steal and slaughter animals are being caught," Horaseb said, adding that farmers are aware of what happens on their farms, and the time when criminals could easily get away with crime is nearing an end.

"All Namibians should stand up against stock theft and against crime," Horaseb said.