Mysterious Beast Kills, Sucks Blood of Goats

RESIDENTS of Ondeihaluka in the Ongha area of the Ohangwena region were left scratching their heads for answers after five goats were killed and their blood sucked out by unknown predators in the early hours of yesterday morning. 

The goats belong to Selma Nandjaya, and were killed in the same fashion as many others killed in the area since 2000.

Two of the goats were bitten from behind, gutted and had some of their intestines removed. The other two were bitten and gutted, but no organs were removed.

The mysterious predators also left two goats injured, while two others are missing.

Mysterious Beast Kills, Sucks Blood of Goats

"We are tired of these animals. We do not know what type of animals they are, but we strongly believe they are animals used for witchcraft which belong to someone in this area who does not feed them properly," said community activist Josef Nakashona.

Furious villagers complained to The Namibian that since 2000, these predators have been killing goats at villages around Ongha, and they now fear that one day they will attack human beings.

"We sometimes walk at night, and that means we are now at risk each time we walk during night time," Mandume Tomas said.

Villagers further told The Namibian that since the attacks started about 16 years ago, this is the first time that the killing has taken place in the open.

"Normally, they [beasts] kill livestock in their kraals, but last night they killed goats which were just sleeping in the bush," Tomas added.

The residents challenged the owner of the beasts to take care of them and feed them properly in order for villagers to avoid incurring such losses.

They further advised the unknown owner of the animals to at least approach people or government for help if his beasts are starving.

"We understand that there are people who have things in their homes.

They own them with their families.

Why can't they even approach government to assist them with food for their beasts which eat only meat and drink blood?" asked Amon Markus, whose six goats were killed in 2008.

Asked if the killer animals could be dogs, the villagers were convinced it is witchcraft-related, arguing that a normal animal would have appetite for meat and not for blood only.

"Come on my brother, is this a dog's spoor? And what kind of dog sucks blood? And can that dog live this long since 2000?" asked one villager who preferred anonymity.

Nandjaya expressed disappointment at losing five goats.

She said they will burn the carcasses as they cannot eat the meat of goats killed through "witchcraft". People in northern Namibia have long complained of mysterious beasts killing their small livestock.

Most people believe the beasts are owned by families who keep them to allegedly boost their fortunes, bringing them wealth and also for protection. The incident was reported to the police, the regional councillor of Endola constituency and the Ohangwena governor.