14/05/2025
Cattles theft on the rise alongside Angolan Border!
Report: Lawrence Pandenie
Kavango East Region residing alongside Namibia-Angola borders are living in fear of losing more of their livestock due to what they term “Angolan Bandits” that are forcefully taking their cattle to sell them into Angola.
In the latest incident, cattle herder, a resident of Diyogha village in Mukwe constituency was left traumatised after he was allegedly assaulted by five armed men who allegedly fled with approximately 70 heard of cattle that he was herding.
In a public statement issued by Mukwe constituency’s regional councillor Damian Maghambayi on Wednesday, a group of individuals believed to have come from the other side of Angola, illegally entered Mushangara village on Saturday, 10 May 2025, and stole herds of cattle and abducted the cattle herder.
The cattle herder, who allegedly managed to escape and alerted the villagers, was severely assaulted, with visible injuries allegedly inflicted by the thieves.
It's reported that after the cattle herder failed to come back home, nine concerned men from Diyogha village crossed the river in pursuit of the stolen livestock on the same day. However, none of them ever reported back home and their whereabouts are unknown at this stage which has caused great distress in the community, the statement read.
According to the statement, the suspects are believed to be foreign nationals operating from within Angola and selling the stolen cattle in Zambia.
“This incident is not isolated; it’s part of a growing pattern of organised cross-border cattle theft that has severely affected our farmers, particularly those living in border communities. Of great concern is the possibility that some of those involved in these crimes are individuals we have entrusted with the responsibility of herding and protecting our livestock”. Maghambayi stressed.
Different incident, same scenario!
On a separate case, another incident of cattle theft was reported in the neighbouring village of Mwitjiku in the same Constituency.
According to a source; on 13th December 2024, four cattle-herders were looking after their animals nearby “Bushbaby”. It’s alleged that about four men emerged from the bush armed with axes and k***s and started assaulting the cattle herders.
Although they managed to flee, one boy was allegedly injured and received treatment at Andara Roman Catholic hospital on the same day.
It is reported that the suspects have managed to escape towards Angolan direction with about 36 cattle belonging to Mr Kamburu, a farmer of Mutjiku.
Accordingly, a case of stock theft was then reportedly opened with the Namibian Police in Divundu, and neither recovery nor arrest has been made to date.
In a statement, the regional councillor has urged all community members to be extremely cautious when employing cattle herders, especially those coming from Angola and Zambia. It is essential that they conduct thorough background checks and ensure proper vetting before entrusting anyone with such responsibilities.
“I urge the community to continue cooperating with the Namibian Police and the Namibian Defence Force, who have already taken steps in response to these threats. Their role is critical, especially given the cross-border nature of the theft”. He remarked.
These incidents have sparked outrageous fears and horror among the residents alongside the border, with some likening it to 1999 fate.
During that time, UNITA insurgency were terrorising the residents of Kavangos, abducting and looting their properties including their cattle.
Law enforcement agencies are on the ground with their Angolan counterparts trying to reprimand the suspects as well as to establish the whereabouts of the nine men.
🖼️ For illustration purposes
