57 illegal fences removed in Tsumkwe
To date, the agriculture ministry has facilitated the removal of 57 illegal fences in Tsumkwe. However, 42 more fences must still be dealt with.
Spokesperson Jona Musheko said a total of 158 kilometres of fences have been removed.
He stressed that the ministry has not failed to implement the laws which govern the administration of communal land in Tsumkwe. The ministry also does not intend to absolve its responsibility of overseeing orderly communal land administration, he said.
This follows reports in local media regarding land disputes, illegal grazing and illegal fencing in the Tsumkwe district.
“The ministry does not agree with the allegations that the laws which govern land administration are not followed or implemented in Tsumkwe. It is wrong to make such allegations as they are not fruitful and highly divisive.”
‘Massive progress’
According to Musheko, the ministry carried out investigations and identified 137 illegal fences.
An amount of N$349 407 was spent to remove 19km of fence in Kano Vlei, 11km in Bubi Pos, 23km in !Kadu and part of Babi Pos and 105km at #Ha-Du.
“This is not a failure, it is rather massive progress given the complexity and sensitivity of this matter.”
Musheko added that the ministry is aware of the slow progress in the country, especially during the pandemic.
“The ministry is not aware of any of its officials who are involved in land grabbing in Tsumkwe. However, the ministry has been calling on the public and individuals who may have information of irregular land allocation/grabbing, involving ministry officials, to come forward and report such cases to the Anti-Corruption Commission without fear.”
Remove them
Meanwhile, the ministry has been successful in holding transgressors - whose fences have proven to be illegal - accountable by ordering them to remove the fences, as per the provisions of the Land Reform Act, he said.
According to Musheko, 34 people were ordered to remove their fences at their own cost.
Some cases of illegal fences were also adjudicated by the Appeals Tribunals and, in addition to the 34 fences voluntarily removed, five fences were removed as ordered by the Appeals Tribunals.
“Furthermore, 18 fences were concluded on through court adjudication and were ordered to be removed as per court orders.”
The ministry - supported by other stakeholders - is in the process of locating the owners of illegal fences that must still be removed in order to serve them with court summons.
“It is not easy to locate the owners because not all of them are known, neither is it known where they stay.”
The ministry will continue its investigations, he added.
Spokesperson Jona Musheko said a total of 158 kilometres of fences have been removed.
He stressed that the ministry has not failed to implement the laws which govern the administration of communal land in Tsumkwe. The ministry also does not intend to absolve its responsibility of overseeing orderly communal land administration, he said.
This follows reports in local media regarding land disputes, illegal grazing and illegal fencing in the Tsumkwe district.
“The ministry does not agree with the allegations that the laws which govern land administration are not followed or implemented in Tsumkwe. It is wrong to make such allegations as they are not fruitful and highly divisive.”
‘Massive progress’
According to Musheko, the ministry carried out investigations and identified 137 illegal fences.
An amount of N$349 407 was spent to remove 19km of fence in Kano Vlei, 11km in Bubi Pos, 23km in !Kadu and part of Babi Pos and 105km at #Ha-Du.
“This is not a failure, it is rather massive progress given the complexity and sensitivity of this matter.”
Musheko added that the ministry is aware of the slow progress in the country, especially during the pandemic.
“The ministry is not aware of any of its officials who are involved in land grabbing in Tsumkwe. However, the ministry has been calling on the public and individuals who may have information of irregular land allocation/grabbing, involving ministry officials, to come forward and report such cases to the Anti-Corruption Commission without fear.”
Remove them
Meanwhile, the ministry has been successful in holding transgressors - whose fences have proven to be illegal - accountable by ordering them to remove the fences, as per the provisions of the Land Reform Act, he said.
According to Musheko, 34 people were ordered to remove their fences at their own cost.
Some cases of illegal fences were also adjudicated by the Appeals Tribunals and, in addition to the 34 fences voluntarily removed, five fences were removed as ordered by the Appeals Tribunals.
“Furthermore, 18 fences were concluded on through court adjudication and were ordered to be removed as per court orders.”
The ministry - supported by other stakeholders - is in the process of locating the owners of illegal fences that must still be removed in order to serve them with court summons.
“It is not easy to locate the owners because not all of them are known, neither is it known where they stay.”
The ministry will continue its investigations, he added.
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