Jana-Mari Smith
29 April 2011
Two cattle rustlers are behind bars in Outjo after they were busted red handed by farmworkers who made a citizen’s arrest.
According to Outjo police, Richard Kawva (36) and Otto Awaseb (48) appeared in the Outjo magistrates court last week on a charge of stock theft.
The duo were arrested on a farm in the Outjo district early last week, when farmworkers noticed the pair slipping “through the fence”, according to an Outjo police officer.
He said the men were arrested after they had already killed and partially slaughtered a cow. The men appeared at the Outjo magistrates court on Wednesday and remain in custody to date, the police officer confirmed. He said that a formal bail hearing will be conducted in May, to determine whether they should be released from behind bars.
According to the police officer, it is highly likely that the men are “connected to other crimes”, in particular stock theft and poaching, but the investigation and collection of evidence continues.
Deputy Commissioner Moses Khairabeb, the Regional crime co-ordinator for the Otjozondjupa Region, said this week that the farmworkers who made the citizen’s arrest have demonstrated the critical importance of the role the community can play in combating crime.
“Most criminals are part of the community, and the community are aware of who they are. It is very important that the community and the police work together to stop crime,” he said.
Johnny Horaseb, vice-chairperson of the crime busting community forum at the town, said the Outjo Crime Prevention forum opposes the bail of the men.
Horaseb noted that one of men, Kawva, was arrested in January in connection with the poaching of a gemsbok. When police traced tracks back to Kawva’s house, they discovered several rotten game carcasses on the property, indicating the workings of a possible poaching syndicate.
“These criminals are a danger to the community and to the farmers. Anyone who tries to steal, will be caught. There is no way out,” he warned.
AllAfrica – All the Time
Original post:
Outjo Crime Busters