Marthina Mutanga
SAMUEL Petrus, a businessman in Okakarara who owns several bars and a butchery, has been arrested for stock theft.
The 38-year-old businessman, who is locally known as ‘Tate Sammy’, is amongst three men who were arrested on 7 September over a handful of reportedly stolen livestock carcasses.
The Otjozondjupa Regional Police spokesperson, Inspector Maureen Mbeha, said the three men were arrested with the assistance of the community and they will be reappearing at the Okakarara Magistrate’s Court on 24 September 2021.
The other accused persons are 37-year-old Kandenga stefanus and 31-year-old Big Boy Tjeriko.
Tapoo Novengi, who is heading a group of concerned residents that took to the streets after the arrest of the three men, said that livestock theft is becoming prevalent at Okakarara and as a result, their livelihood as small stock farmers is under threat.
The demonstrators demanded that the accused persons remain behind bars and that the businesses of Petrus be permanently shut down.
“We are going to demonstrate on 24 September when this businessman applies for bail. We want him to remain in police custody,” said Novengi.
Novengi added that some community members last week decided to help the police by tracing the culprits after they encounter a scene at the Outa village, situated 15 kilometres outside of Okakarara.
It is alleged that the suspects entered a kraal and slaughtered give goats before transporting the carcasses to a nearby village.
The community suspects that the stolen meat was eventually going to be sold at the businessman’s butchery.
