Oshikoto confronted with illegal land allocations, sales, and occupation

Maria David

THE Ministry of Agriculture, Water, and Land Reform (MAWLR) has received numerous reports of illegal land allocations, sales, and occupation on several farms, including Chudib-Nuut No.1137, Urwald Farm No. 1150, and Tsintsabis No. 881.

Ministry Executive Director Ndiyakupi Nghituwamata said that these farms are located along the Tsumeb-Katwiti road (B15), approximately 62 kilometres north of Tsumeb. These farms have been designated as Resettlement farms under the MAWLR since 1991.

“The farms were acquired for the purpose of Resettlement in accordance with Section 14 of the Agricultural (Commercial) Land Reform Act, 1995 (Act No. 06 of 1995),” she said.

Furthermore, Nghituwamata explained that the Ministry has already allocated these farms to beneficiaries in accordance with the Agricultural (Commercial) Land Reform Act, 1995. It’s important to note that these farms are located in commercial areas, not communal ones.

However, it has come to the Ministry’s attention that certain individuals, including some members of the Tsintsabis community, are engaged in illegal land transactions on these farms. Consequently, a number of individuals have illegally occupied or been allocated land on these farms.

Nghituwamata emphasized that the Ministry has the authority to allocate land on Resettlement farms as outlined in Section 37 of the Agricultural (Commercial) Land Reform Act, Act No. 06 of 1995.

She added, “Members of the public must, therefore, be vigilant and not become victims of any illegal land dealings on these farms. They should report any person(s) involved in such illegal land buying/selling on these farms.”

Nghituwamata encouraged members of the public who wish to participate in the National Resettlement Programme to do so through the appropriate channels and to follow the established procedures. Members of the Tsintsabis community and the general public are advised to visit the Division of Lands Office in Tsumeb or any other MAWLR office in any region for information on how to apply for resettlement land/farms.