Staff Reporter
THE Erongo police are looking for five men suspected of being part of the violent gang of stock thieves and robbers who attacked two young farmers in Omaruru, killed 40 animals and stole items worth N$70 000.
Ronnie Van Staden, from the Spitzkoppe area in the Usakos district, Erike Matheus Oxurub from Swakopmund, Robert Garus-oab from Otjimbingwe, Edward Uahupirapi (37 years old, no photo available) and Isak Kangombe, also known as “Papatjie” (38, no photo available) are wanted by the Erongo police.
Anyone with information about their whereabouts can contact Deputy Commissioner Iikuyu at 081 246 4757; Detective Chief Inspector Urib at 081 439 2687 or the nearest police station.
The crimes were committed between Sunday 13 March around 20:00 and the following day around 02:00.
Four men armed with a rifle and knives arrived at the homestead of Farm Otjumue Nord in the Omaruru District on foot, asking for water. They told the young farmers, aged 22 and 23, that they were tired because they walked 20 km from where their car had broken down and they left women behind.
When the farmers opened the door, the suspects attacked and overpowered them, tied their arms and legs up with wires and blindfolded them.
The suspects then went to the kraal and slaughtered 24 sheep valued at N$28 800 and five goats worth N$6 000. They also shot three heads of cattle worth N$28 500.
The suspects then contacted their mates who came with pickup cars and loaded the carcasses.
Eight sheep with their throats cut were left behind in the kraal.
They also took with them 25 containers of milk, two cellphones and chargers, a power bank, a solar panel and lamp, a knife and a Ryobi RG 2700A Generator valued at N$6 500.
The victims eventually freed themselves and ran to Omborondo village where they were assisted and then taken to the Omatjete clinic.
The generator, two goat carcasses cut into pieces and one goat’s head were recovered in Swakopmund.
The vehicles used in the crime were traced and impounded.
