Farmer impounds 130 cattle
A dispute between a commercial Kalkfeld farmer and a group of communal farmers this week around access to grazing has again put the spotlight on the drought crisis.
Last week a commercial farmer near Kalkfeld impounded more than 130 cattle he found illegally grazing on his farm, 87 of which belonged to Kalkfeld communal farmers.
The dispute was resolved by yesterday afternoon, when the farmer relented and the cattle were returned.
According to Kalkfeld residents, the farmer initially demanded N$50 per animal for their release, prompting the communal farmers to approach police and elected officials for assistance over the past days. No formal charges or complaints were laid by either party. By yesterday, the farmer and the Kalkfeld residents agreed to settle the matter at no cost, according to Kennedy Urib, headman of a local traditional authority and development committee member at Kalkveld.
“The farmer and we were able to come to an agreement and he returned the cattle free of charge,” Urib explained. The farmer refused to comment on the matter.
Urib, who had acted on behalf of the farmers, noted with concern yesterday that despite the peaceful resolution of the matter, grazing remains a critical problem.
“Kalkveld has no grazing left, it is complete wasteland,” he said. He said despite efforts this week to reach out to locally elected politicians, they had allegedly “washed their hands” of the problem. “So the people have their cattle back. But where do they take them now? There is no grass and that is the chief problem.” Urib said he would continue to seek help from government, in order to pinpoint a solution to the problem. He said the community are reluctant to sell their cattle, despite the drought, as they would have no other means of income.
“Cattle, and other livestock, offer the only means of income to the people of Kalkfeld. What else can they live off?” He said that the lack of grazing and development has been a long standing one, and has been plaguing the community for many years.
“There is no work or development here. If you have to now sell all of your cattle or livestock, the money will be depleted soon. And then what will they do? People need the money to pay school fees; it’s the only income for many here.” He said one solution would be for government to provide temporary grazing rights, granting these farmers access to nearby government owned farms.
Urib said the matter will be taken directly to relevant government officials in Windhoek within the upcoming month. “If our leaders cannot find a solution, or assist us, what will the community do? What will happen to them?”
JANA-MARI SMITH
Last week a commercial farmer near Kalkfeld impounded more than 130 cattle he found illegally grazing on his farm, 87 of which belonged to Kalkfeld communal farmers.
The dispute was resolved by yesterday afternoon, when the farmer relented and the cattle were returned.
According to Kalkfeld residents, the farmer initially demanded N$50 per animal for their release, prompting the communal farmers to approach police and elected officials for assistance over the past days. No formal charges or complaints were laid by either party. By yesterday, the farmer and the Kalkfeld residents agreed to settle the matter at no cost, according to Kennedy Urib, headman of a local traditional authority and development committee member at Kalkveld.
“The farmer and we were able to come to an agreement and he returned the cattle free of charge,” Urib explained. The farmer refused to comment on the matter.
Urib, who had acted on behalf of the farmers, noted with concern yesterday that despite the peaceful resolution of the matter, grazing remains a critical problem.
“Kalkveld has no grazing left, it is complete wasteland,” he said. He said despite efforts this week to reach out to locally elected politicians, they had allegedly “washed their hands” of the problem. “So the people have their cattle back. But where do they take them now? There is no grass and that is the chief problem.” Urib said he would continue to seek help from government, in order to pinpoint a solution to the problem. He said the community are reluctant to sell their cattle, despite the drought, as they would have no other means of income.
“Cattle, and other livestock, offer the only means of income to the people of Kalkfeld. What else can they live off?” He said that the lack of grazing and development has been a long standing one, and has been plaguing the community for many years.
“There is no work or development here. If you have to now sell all of your cattle or livestock, the money will be depleted soon. And then what will they do? People need the money to pay school fees; it’s the only income for many here.” He said one solution would be for government to provide temporary grazing rights, granting these farmers access to nearby government owned farms.
Urib said the matter will be taken directly to relevant government officials in Windhoek within the upcoming month. “If our leaders cannot find a solution, or assist us, what will the community do? What will happen to them?”
JANA-MARI SMITH
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