Kavango West: Land disputes raise concerns
Traditional leaders tasked to resolve disputes
During a recent dispute about land, the police had to confiscate a firearm.
Ncaute police commander James Shamwazi has expressed concerns over land disputes in the Kavango West Region, which are under the control of traditional authority leaders.
Shamwazi said police officers are frequently called to attend to these land disputes.
“Officers attend to cases of land disputes in order to prevent crimes during such disputes to protect life and property and ensure that no dangerous objects are used to threaten the lives of others. To this end, we are always ready to attend to all and any emergency cases," he said.
He said last Friday another report of a land dispute case at Naingopo village was reported. The village falls under the jurisdiction of the Ncaute police.
“Upon arrival, we established that two people were occupying the same piece of land. The dispute started when one person who did not own the land started removing the poles and cutting the wire that was used to fence off the land. The police confiscated a firearm that was used to [threaten] the intruder,” he said, adding that the complainant chose not to open fire against the alleged intruder.
A local matter at first
Shamwazi said the land dispute is currently in the hands of the headman, as such cases have to be resolved among the traditional leaders.
If the headman is unable to resolve the matter, other stakeholders, such as the police, the ministry of land and the office of the chief for traditional authority, will be involved in possible solutions.
Shamwazi explained that illegal fencing is carried out by community members themselves in the Ncaute district and not by people from other villages.
“The affected community members are now forced to look for assistance in order to remove illegal fences, as it hinders the cattle from roaming around to graze properly,” he said.
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Shamwazi said police officers are frequently called to attend to these land disputes.
“Officers attend to cases of land disputes in order to prevent crimes during such disputes to protect life and property and ensure that no dangerous objects are used to threaten the lives of others. To this end, we are always ready to attend to all and any emergency cases," he said.
He said last Friday another report of a land dispute case at Naingopo village was reported. The village falls under the jurisdiction of the Ncaute police.
“Upon arrival, we established that two people were occupying the same piece of land. The dispute started when one person who did not own the land started removing the poles and cutting the wire that was used to fence off the land. The police confiscated a firearm that was used to [threaten] the intruder,” he said, adding that the complainant chose not to open fire against the alleged intruder.
A local matter at first
Shamwazi said the land dispute is currently in the hands of the headman, as such cases have to be resolved among the traditional leaders.
If the headman is unable to resolve the matter, other stakeholders, such as the police, the ministry of land and the office of the chief for traditional authority, will be involved in possible solutions.
Shamwazi explained that illegal fencing is carried out by community members themselves in the Ncaute district and not by people from other villages.
“The affected community members are now forced to look for assistance in order to remove illegal fences, as it hinders the cattle from roaming around to graze properly,” he said.
[email protected]
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