Farmers seek audience with top cop over stock theft

Communal farmers in the Epukiro constituency have requested an audience with Omaheke police chief Commissioner Andreas Haingura to urgently discuss issues related to stock theft, which they claim continues unabated.

The chairperson of the Community Against Stock Theft Organisation (CASO), Sandi Tjaronda, this week wrote to Haingura to request a meeting on matters of common interest regarding safety and security in the constituency. “Despite some notable progress made, we have grave gaps that are serving as a launchpad for those suspected of committing the heinous crimes of stock theft, perpetuating huge losses against farmers running into millions,” he stated in the letter. He said there is growing tension between the community and suspected cattle rustlers.

“We must, therefore, regroup before the situation gravitates to anarchy and lawlessness. We request for a meeting in Epukiro with other stakeholders such as farmers’ association, traditional authorities, youth groups and the local station commander,” continued Tjaronda. He expressed the hope that the meeting will help them to come up with concrete strategies to address the teething problems of leadership and response mechanisms, as well as effective community policing. “We should also discuss the secrecy vow between the police and the community to keep information confidential until the appropriate time. We also need to develop monthly meetings and/or feedback to the community to raise awareness on emerging issues in relation to safety and security, and the role of the community in crime prevention,” he added. Omaheke governor Pijoo Nganate said in his state of the region address in August this year that farmers in the region last year suffered losses in excess of N$8.8 million as a result of rampant livestock theft.