Katima mulilo: A group of farmers in the Zambezi region staged a peaceful demonstration on Wednesday, marching from the Katima Mulilo Open Market to the Zambezi Regional Council offices to hand over a petition. Aggrieved by the persistent cattle theft and cross-border crimes, the farmers appealed for intervention by the Namibian Defence Force (NDF), alleging that these crimes are often perpetrated by armed Zambian nationals.
According to Namibia Press Agency, the farmers addressed their petition to President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, highlighting the untenable security situation in the region. Vincent Siliye, Chairperson of the Liselo-Kamenga Anti-Stock Theft Association, read the petition on behalf of the group. He stated, "Armed men carrying guns are terrorising farmers across our region, operating with impunity in a wider criminal network. Concurrently, heavily armed cattle rustlers enter our Republic from Zambia as if there is no presence of the NDF mandated by the constitution of this Republic to protect and defend the integrity of this country."
Siliye further mentioned that more than 3000 heads of cattle, valued at N. dollars 24 million, have been stolen without recovery since 2019. He added that the criminals operate at will, entering and exiting Namibian territory during both day and night, fully armed, to take what they want from farmers' kraals.
The farmers also expressed concerns that the syndicate's activities have escalated from cattle rustling to poaching of wildlife, illegal fishing, illegal timber harvesting, burning of forest, and destruction of state infrastructure at Katima Farm and Kopano Quarantine camps. They proposed deploying the NDF's security personnel strategically throughout the region and called for the establishment of a dedicated Anti-Cattle Rustling and Cross-Border Crime Task Force. The farmers also seek increased riverine and land border patrols, along with enhanced bilateral engagements with Zambia to secure cooperation in apprehending suspects and recovery efforts.
Zambezi Governor Dorothy Kabula-Simushi received the petition and assured the farmers that it would be forwarded to the President.