Committee on Judiciary hears bill to make cattle and farm‑implement theft a felony The Committee on Judiciary heard House Bill 2413, which would classify theft of cattle and implements of husbandry as a severity level 5 nonperson felony, add implements to criminal forfeiture provisions, and limit “livestock” in the bill to cattle and horses; proponents said the change would help rural producers and incentivize prosecutions.

Kansas is taking a bold stand against livestock theft by proposing a new bill that would classify cattle and farm-implement theft as a felony, aiming to protect rural producers and strengthen law enforcement tools.

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#KS #LivestockTheft #RuralCrime #CriminalForfeture

Omaruru farmers call for tougher laws to curb rising rural crime Farmers at Omaruru have submitted a comprehensive proposal to the Ministry of Justice and Labour Relations calling for urgent law reforms to address increasing rural crime. Omaruru Farmers’ Association vice chairman and secretary Markus Trede says at the core of the proposal is short-, medium-, and long-term reforms aimed at deterring livestock theft, poaching, illegal logging, and farm equipment theft. The initiative was developed in consultation with over 55 farmers and rural residents, and was submitted to the ministry on 13 June. “The situation is such that we receive reports of rural crimes almost daily ranging from trespassing and cattle theft to the slaughtering of animals with spears. These are not isolated incidents. The brutality and frequency are become intolerable,” Trede said. He said the proposed reforms include harsher penalties for poaching, with fines recommended at a minimum of N$25 000 to reflect the financial value of illegally obtained game. The group also advocates mandatory prison sentences for repeat offenders, stricter rules around bail, and the automatic seizure of tools, vehicles, and weapons used in these crimes. One of the most urgent demands by the group is a revision of bail procedures. The farmers say current practices, which consider the accused’s financial status, result in bail amounts being too low to serve as a deterrent. In some cases, criminals profit more from the crime than they lose in court. “We are seeing a pattern where suspects are back on the streets within days, sometimes even returning to the same farms. This makes a mockery of the justice system,” Trede said. Other measures include raising penalties for trespassing and allowing witness affidavits to substitute in-person court testimony in cases of minor offences, reducing the burden on victims and the police. Trede emphasised that the proposal does not stop at law enforcement, but also tackles the structural causes of rural crime, acknowledging that many of those involved in these offences are driven by desperation. “The cause is not a lack of values. It’s unemployment, hunger, and a lack of prospects. Our goal is not to demonise people, but to create a system that is fair, firm, and functional,” Trede said. The association further recommended a regional reorganisation of the police to avoid potential bias or pressure put on officers by local networks. They propose regular staff rotation to ensure impartial investigations, especially in smaller communities. The proposal comes after violent spates of livestock-related crimes in the area. The Omaruru Farmers’ Association says the ministry’s decision to invite public proposals is a rare and welcome opportunity to reshape a legal system they say has long failed rural communities. “We are deeply encouraged by the ministry’s openness to public input. We hope this marks the beginning of real, long-overdue change,” Trede said. At its recent annual general meeting, the association formally endorsed the proposals and expressed the willingness to participate further in the reform process. The post Omaruru farmers call for tougher laws to curb rising rural crime appeared first on The Namibian.

#FarmersRights #RuralCrime #LivestockTheft #Poaching #AgriculturePolicy

Calf killed in alleged stock theft incident near Omaruru An act of livestock theft has rocked the farming community near Omaruru after a calf was found crawling back to the kraal with a spear through its body. The incident occurred at farm Klein Okombahe, near Omaruru, in the Erongo region. According to the Omaruru Farmers Association, the calf died shortly after the spear was removed. Markus Trede, vice chairperson of the association, condemns the cruelty involved. “It is dramatic how stock theft and poaching continue to increase and what brutal forms it takes,” he says. Trede adds that criminals are not only causing considerable financial damage, but also seem to have no respect for animals at all. He says the suffering inflicted on livestock is becoming more visible and severe, citing increasing use of snares, leghold traps, and even attacks by trained dogs. Trede warns of socio-economic consequences if rural crime continues unchecked. “If nothing is done in the near future, in a few years there will be no more cattle and game farms and thousands of jobs will be lost.” He urges stronger laws, harsher penalties, and deep reform in law enforcement. “The government must reach out to the rural population and listen. We at the Omaruru Farmers Union are always ready to engage and I am sure others are too,” Trede says. The post Calf killed in alleged stock theft incident near Omaruru appeared first on The Namibian.

#LivestockTheft #AnimalCruelty #FarmSafety #Omaruru #RuralCrime

Increased drone activity worries farmers Niël Terblanché Reports of drone sightings in rural parts of the country are raising concern among farmers, who suspect the devices may be used for poaching and livestock theft. According to the Namibia Agricultural Union (NAU), more farmers are reporting drones flying over farms and remote homesteads, especially at night.  The union said the sightings have sparked questions about possible links to recent criminal activity. In response, a group of concerned individuals has created a protocol to track drone sightings and compare them with reports of theft or poaching. “The Namibian Police and the Namibia Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) have been alerted, but both agencies require written documentation before investigations can proceed,” the NAU said. Members of the public are urged to record the drone’s size, flight patterns, how often the drone appears, and its location. If a drone is recovered, it must be handled carefully to preserve possible evidence, such as fingerprints, stored footage, or IP address data. The NAU has shared steps for reporting drones.  Members of the public are also advised to join a regional WhatsApp group, complete and certify an affidavit at a NamPol station, and share the affidavit and any photos in the group for further action. “Let’s work together to keep Namibia safe,” the NAU said. In April, the Ministry of Environment, Forestry and Tourism banned drones in Etosha National Park. Colgar Sikopo, deputy executive director of the ministry’s directorate of natural resource management, said drones were once allowed under strict rules, but poor compliance led to the ban. “Many visitors have been entering the park and using drones with no such permission. This situation created some security risks and a disturbance to other visitors to the park,” Sikopo said. He said poachers are increasingly using drones to locate endangered species such as black rhinos. Under the new rules, visitors must leave drones at the national park’s entrance gate and collect them when they leave.

#DroneConcerns #FarmersWorries #PoachingPrevention #LivestockTheft #AgriculturalSafety

New Kansas bill targets livestock theft and defines forfeiture guidelines Kansas House Bill 2253 establishes rules for forfeiting property involved in livestock theft

A new Kansas bill is shaking up the agricultural community by redefining how property involved in livestock theft can be seized, sparking intense debate over farmers' rights and legal protections.

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#KS #LivestockTheft #PropertyRights #RuralEconomy #KansasAgriculture