Luhonono: In a coordinated effort to combat cross-border livestock theft, the Namibian Police Force (NamPol) successfully returned nine donkeys and three cattle to their rightful owners after they were stolen from Zambia. The handover took place at the Luhonono Police Station in the Zambezi Region and was attended by local police officials and community leaders.

According to Namibia Press Agency, the recovery of the animals was made possible through community collaboration and resulted in the arrest of a 29-year-old Zambian suspect. The suspect, who is currently being held in the Katima Mulilo police holding cells, is believed to have orchestrated a long-running syndicate targeting livestock for trade. Community members provided crucial information that enabled law enforcement to trace the animals across multiple locations, including Nankutwe, Itomba, Mutwalwizi, and Nakabolelwa.

Inspector Kisco Sitali, head of Zambezi community policing and regional spokesperson, explained that the suspect had been exchang
ing stolen donkeys from Zambia for cattle in Namibia, appealing to farmers seeking to transition from cattle to donkey farming. Sitali emphasized the importance of vigilance and urged farmers to avoid moving their animals at night. He also advised businesses to thoroughly verify documentation when dealing in livestock.

Luhonono village headman Matengu Simana highlighted the economic risks associated with the illicit livestock trade, particularly the spread of animal diseases due to unregulated movement. He stressed the necessity of continued police patrols at informal crossing points like Nkanza to mitigate such threats.

Vincent Lubasi, the owner of the recovered donkeys, expressed his gratitude for the cross-border police effort that led to the partial recovery of his stolen animals from Zambia’s Sankolonga area. Despite not all animals being found, Lubasi appreciated the collaborative work of the Namibian and Zambian authorities in addressing this issue.