Four nabbed over stock theft, counterfeit liquor

Three men and one woman were arrested at Kalkfeld in the Otjozondjupa region in connection with several cases of stock theft in the area on Saturday.

The suspects, including farmworkers, appeared in the Otjiwarongo Magistrate’s Court on Monday.

The police on Sunday said the suspects were found in possession of dry meat valued at N$25 000, which was set to be sold at a market at the coast.

“A lot of dry meat was found in their house, belonging to the Amadhila family. The dry meat is destined for a lucrative market at Swakopmund or Walvis Bay,” their crime report read.

Counterfeit liquor (whisky) was allegedly also found in the suspects’ possession during a search of their house. The police impounded a sedan vehicle.

“It is alleged that a farmworker of the said farming unit, with the help of his friend, killed one cow belonging to their employer, and sold the carcass to a customer from the Kalkfeld location,” the crime report reads.

The suspects are Elivaste Nghishimono (28), Gabriel Shimweefeleni (31), Linus Amadhila (42), and Hilde Amadhila (33).

The complainant, Festus Nuunyango, a tenant at Hedwigstal farm, says stock theft has affected the livelihoods of farmers in the area.

“This does not affect me only, but also my workers. I have employed five families, one of which was part of this scheme,” he says.

Nuunyango says buyers of these products are influencers of this crime and often target farmworkers, who are susceptible to alcohol abuse.

He says although the community is pleased that the suspects have been arrested, residents are unhappy about recurring crimes allegedly perpetrated by the same suspects.

“The ladies who were arrested are in the meat-selling business, and they mix the unauthorised meat and claim they have papers,” he says.

Nuunyango praises the Namibian Police for their swift response and professional search of the property, but pleads with the government to assign the Kalkfeld station more vehicles, as they currently have one only.

“They were really on top of their game, but they need more vehicles . . . and I have to thank Nampol for their professionalism,” he says.