13 Arrested for Illegal Possession of 32 Cattle

By Sibeso Likezo Police in Western Province have arrested 13 people for illegal possession of 32 cattle believed to have originated from a neighbouring country. The animals have since been recovered by the police. Western Province Police Commissioner GODFREY MWANZA says the suspects, aged between 22 and 40, were apprehended at around 10:00 hours on Friday in the Ngambe area of Muoyo Royal Village of Nalolo district. Nine of the suspects are from Shangombo District, three from Sioma District, while the remaining suspect is a resident of Muoyo. Mr MWANZA said the arrests followed a tip-off from a concerned member of the public who spotted a suspicious group driving a herd of cattle towards Ngambe. He said Police officers immediately responded to the report and intercepted the group at Muoyo Veterinary Kraal, where the suspects were attempting to obtain clearance to transport the animals to Mongu for sale. Mr MWANZA says during an inspection, Police discovered that fresh brand marks had been placed over the cattle’s original marks, raising suspicion that the alterations were intended to conceal the animals’ true ownership and origin.