Members of the /Khomanin Traditional Authority yesterday marched from Eros to the old State House in Windhoek to hand over a petition to vice president Nangolo Mbumba to consider the plight of their landlessness.
The petition is aimed at focusing on the land challenges the traditional authority continues to face after 33 years of independence.
Spokesperson Joro Eiseb during the petition handover said the municipality has evicted people from their homes, and farmers around Khomas region have also been evicted as the municipality expanded.
He acknowledged the /Khomanin children at traffic lights around the city, who sleep in river beds.
Some have been washed away by floods, he said.
“Where should we go as the /Khomanin community which comprises whites, Caprivians and Oshiwambo? We have a diverse group of Namibians who make up this clan,” Eiseb said.
Another matter the petition highlighted was the lack of office accommodation, community courts and a community hall.
The traditional authority currently does not have any of the above, which is why they make use of a room in the Gaos House, he said.
The /Khomanin authority has granted the Office of the Vice President a month as of today, to respond to their requests.
Speaking at the same event, the special adviser to the chief of /Khomanin Traditional Authority, Walter /Haseb, said the community is not requesting for the entire Windhoek, “but we are asking for a place where we can practise our beliefs”.
“The municipality, through the Ministry of Urban and Rural Development, has expanded its boundaries without consulting the traditional authority.
“We have said let’s sit at the table and discuss, people who are currently farming in Groot Aub and are being requested to pay tax and rent are being evicted. Once evicted our land is lost, and we have nowhere to take our people,” /Haseb said.
Presidential affairs minister Christine ||Hoebes received the petition on behalf of Mbumba and promised to deliver it to him as is.
“The president and vice president are well aware of the plight of the /Khomanin people, and the president has given instructions that your issues should be addressed as soon as possible.
“Those who could be attended to immediately have been. We are aware of the unique position the /Khomanin people are finding themselves in,” ||Hoebes said.
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