Deputy director, brother arrested for illegal hunting

By Maria Kandjungu

THE Namibian Police arrested a deputy director in the Ministry of Lands at its Gobabis sub-regional office for her role in the alleged illegal hunting of an oryx valued at N$6 000.

Mclesia Mbaisa (49) who heads the Division of Land Reform was arrested alongside her brother Marvin Mbaisa (36) and Rudolf Katjiuanjo (35) following the illegal hunting of the wild animal at Heath Bell resettlement farm in the Gobabis district.

Confirming the incident, Omaheke regional crime investigations coordinator – deputy commissioner Chris Kalimbula said that Katjiuanjo and Marvin killed the animal with a rifle on May 4. He said, witnesses informed officials at the Ministry of Tourism, who with the help of the police set up a roadblock.

He added that the duo were then intercepted while driving Mclesia’s vehicle.  They were found in possession of the oryx’s carcass, a rifle and several rounds of ammunition.

Statements by the duo led police to the deputy director who was subsequently called in for questioning.  It is alleged the deputy director failed to provide proof of a licence and permission to hunt at the resettlement farm and was arrested on June 1.

Mclesia faces two charges of conspiracy to commit a crime and defeating the course of justice while Marvin and Katjiuanjo each face a charge of hunting game.

The trio appeared before the Gobabis Magistrates Court and were each granted bail of N$1 000.  The matter was postponed to July 24 for further police investigations.

Lands Minister Calle Schlettwein said that while the matter was in the hands of authorities, “…Internally we shall look into the matter as well and react as per the terms of the public service rules”.