Police in Western Province have arrested 13 suspects and recovered 32 head of cattle suspected to have been stolen or unlawfully obtained, with investigations ongoing to establish their origin and ownership.
Western Province Commissioner of Police, Godfrey Mwanza, confirmed the arrests in a statement issued in Mongu on Friday.
Mwanza said the suspects, all male and aged between 22 and 40, were apprehended on October 16, 2026, at about 10:00 hours in the Ngambe area of Muoyo Royal Village.
He said nine of the suspects were from Shangombo District, three from Sioma District and one from Muoyo.
“The suspects were apprehended today, Friday 16th October, 2026, at around 10:00 hours in Ngambe area within Muoyo Royal Village,” Mwanza said.
He said the arrests followed a tip-off from a member of the public who reported seeing a suspicious group moving towards Ngambe with a herd of cattle.
Police officers intercepted the group at the Muoyo Veterinary Kraal, where the suspects were allegedly seeking clearance to transport the livestock to Mongu for sale.
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“Police officers acted swiftly and intercepted the group at the Muoyo Veterinary Kraal, where they were attempting to seek clearance to transport the livestock to Mongu for sale,” he said.
Mwanza said officers discovered that new brand marks had allegedly been freshly impressed over existing marks in an attempt to disguise the cattle’s origin and ownership.
The recovered livestock comprises six bulls, nine oxen and 17 cows.
“All 32 head of cattle have since been secured as exhibits. The 13 suspects remain in police custody as a docket has been officially opened and cross-border investigations continue,” Mwanza stated.
He thanked members of the public for their vigilance and cooperation in combating cross-border livestock theft in the region.
Mwanza said investigations were continuing to establish the rightful owners of the cattle and determine whether the animals had been stolen from a neighbouring country.
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