Maria David
FOUR suspects aged 30, 34, 41, and 47 were arrested during a joint operation by the police, farmers’ association, and the neighbourhood watch in connection with the slaughtering of over 30 cattle at Outjo.
The incident, according to a police weekend report issued on Sunday by the Police Public Relations Division Deputy Commissioner Kauna Shikwambi, occurred between 25 March 2025 and 03 April 2025 at Farm Mountbauten and Farm Bergvlei in the district of Outjo.
According to Shikwambi, the suspects allegedly drove 31 head of cattle with a total value of N$372,000 from the two farms to a neighbouring farm, where they slaughtered 30 cattle.
“One cow was found alive but had been cut on the leg to prevent it from running. The suspects further made biltong from the meat and hung it to dry,” she said.
She added that a taxi used in the commission of the crime was impounded.
At the time of the discovery, the suspects were in the process of butchering the animals and preparing biltong when they were disturbed by the approaching farm workers.
They then managed to evade capture, abandoning their operation and fleeing the scene.
However, the suspects reportedly took the precaution of removing all ear tags from the slaughtered cattle, hindering the immediate identification of the animals’ owners.
