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.
