By Staff Reporter
Liselo-Kamenga Anti-Stock Theft Association in Zambezi Region has confirmed the return of stolen cattle from Zambia after joint efforts between the Namibian and Zambian authorities resolved cross-border repatriation delays.
According to the Association’s Chairperson Mr. Vincent Siliye , 23 cattle belonging to two farmers , Mr. Rooster Chimine and Mr. Shane Tubaleye from Kaliyangile Village were stolen on October 11, 2025, and driven across the border into Zambia.
With assistance from Zambian law enforcement (Zambia Police Service ) in Kamenga, the farmers traced the animals to Mengo in Sinjembela in Zambia on October 18, where 14 of the 23 stolen cattle were recovered.
Among them, four (4) of the recovered cattle were too weak to walk, and one later collapsed near the Kamenga border. On October 21, about 11 cattle reached the border, and Namibian Police Chief Inspector Charles Mayumbelo and Deputy Commissioner, Albius Lyomba were informed to process their repatriation.
He added that the process was initially delayed due to logistical challenges on the Zambian side, particularly the lack of transport for a magistrate from Sesheke to Kamenga.
He however, explained that swift coordination between the Zambezi Regional Commander and his counterpart from Zambia’s Western Province brought relief. The Zambian Provincial Commissioner instructed that the recovered cattle at Imusho be handed over to their rightful owners, requiring only a signed handover certificate and a copy of the owner’s ID for records.
The Acting Regional Commander liaised with the Officer Commanding Sesheke, the Post Commander at Imusho, and the Police Post at Singalamwe to facilitate the handover.
By the evening of Thursday , the cattle finally crossed back into Namibia at around 19h00 and spent the night at Kamenga Police Station.
Mr. Siliye confirmed to Caprivi Vision that on Friday morning, the Department of Veterinary Services examined the animals and cleared them to proceed to Kaliyangile village. The Liselo-Kamenga Anti-Stock Theft Association also confirmed that the cattle were already on their way home and expressed deep appreciation to Zambezi Regional Governor Hon. Doroth Kabula for her intervention on the matter.
“Out of the 12 cattle recovered, one did not survive the journey back to Namibia, and its meat was shared with a nearby Zambian village, while 11 cattle still remain unrecovered.” Said Mr. Siliye.
The successful repatriation of the recovered cattle marks a major victory for cross-border cooperation in combating stock theft. Though some animals remain missing, farmers and authorities alike praised the strong collaboration between Namibia and Zambia, calling for continued vigilance to safeguard communities along the border.
He further called all farmers in the region to unite and join his association as its carters for all livestock farmers in the region. He said they should mark their cattle with the official brand marks issued by the government. Liselo -Kamenga Anti-Stock Theft Association was formed in 2021 with the aim of preventing stock-theft in the Zambezi.
“We are having a big challenge of safety, as most of those stock thieves they use guns to shoot our animals and us, as in the recent incidence they shot and killed one cow which was found dead in Sioma Park” he stressed.
He commended the government for taking up strict measures in clearing the bushes along the border line, and he requested the Namibia Defence Force to deploy members of the NDF to have daily patrols along the border starting at Liselo to Kamenga across the territory of Namibia to prevent further stock theft.
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