Africa-Press – Namibia. OKONGO – The Ohangwena Communal Land Board has commenced the removal of illegal fences in the Okongo constituency in the Ohangwena region.
The 22 illegal fences are expected to be removed between 17 and 22 February.
Yesterday, board chairperson Wilhelmina Shakela was present at Onambali village to officially launch the removal of the illegal fences. More than 50 members of the National Youth Service (NYC) have been deployed to assist with the removal process.
During the operation, police officers are present to ensure the safety and security of the NYC members. The illegal occupants of the land were not present yesterday.
According to information on the ground, they did not want to interfere with the decision made by the communal land board.
Speaking during the operation, Shakela said the individuals had occupied the land unlawfully, which is against the law.
She stressed that the communal land board had recently written letters to those occupying the land illegally, informing them to vacate the area. “They don’t want to listen. They think we are not serious,” she said.
Shakela added that the board had received complaints from community members who are unhappy about the illegal fencing taking place in their area.
“The land is meant for grazing, not for individuals to occupy illegally,” she said.
She added that the removal of illegal fences will take place in various villages within Okongo constituency and urged people not to erect fences illegally.
Yesterday, Popyenawa Djeimo from Okambali village expressed happiness after the illegal fence was removed. “Now we have enough space to graze our livestock. This is a good decision made by the communal land board,” he said.
He added that he acquired his land through the proper procedures and urged others to follow the correct process when acquiring land.
Two weeks ago, a group of people from Okongo and Omundaungilo in the Ohangwena region held a peaceful demonstration in Eenhana against the removal of fences from their land.
The petition was handed to Ohangwena governor Kadiva Hamutumwa.
They said, if the fences are removed, they will have no place to call home. The move, which aims to protect and preserve the forest for grazing purposes, affects about 200 homesteads.
The demonstrators are calling on the governor of Ohangwena to intervene and stop the removal of fences around their homesteads.
Meanwhile, the Oukwanyama Traditional Authority has fired a headman from Onehanga, and another from Oshamukweni has been suspended for allegedly presiding over dubious land transactions.
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