The repeated release of suspected stock theft criminals on bail is contributing to rampant stock theft at Otjimbingwe.

This is according to community members who have called on the police and courts not to grant bail to suspects with pending cases.

Farmers in the Otjimbingwe area lose millions of dollars every year due to stock theft.

In 2020, one farmer lost about seven heads of cattle, worth N$98,000, and was forced to make peace with the loss of 11 animals valued at N$110,000 in one incident.