Ongwediva
Registration of a piece of land for a silica sand processing factory at Okahenge village in Oshana Region by controversial businessman Simon Kapenda was brought to a standstill after intervention by the Oukwanyama Traditional Authority.
Headman Jacob Shinyengu is now set to appear before senior headman Amon Shipanga of Onamutai and his council. This followed allegations of him dashing out land to Groot Group (PTY) Ltd, without consulting the traditional authorities and residents of the village.
Headmen and residents of villages around Ongwediva allegedly heard through the grapevine that a mine was to be established in Oshana that would pass through Okahenge, and Shinyengu allegedly agreed to it.
He, however, did not follow the set procedures by seeking authorisation from the Oukwanyama Traditional Authority.
What made villagers and their leaders even more furious is the fact that Groot Group apparently brought in at least 950 employees from outside the village.
When New Era visited the site on Monday a group of about 1 000 young people were queuing up under a tree where an identification process for the purposes of employment by Groot Group human resources officials was taking place.
There was also a large group of people from the area that seeking employment. Kapenda this week told New Era that Groot Group followed the procedures they needed to follow – which is to approach the headman for land.
“If he (Shinyengu) has not informed or sought permission from the [Oukwanyama] traditional authority, we really don’t have control over that,” he said. Kapenda further maintained that as per agreement with the village headman Groot Group would employ at least 450 people from Okahenge village.
Shinyengu is expected to carry out the selection process and submit the list of the selected people to Groot Group for employment, according to Kapenda.
“I really appreciate what Tate Shinyengu has done. Unlike other headmen who just want to block development, he opened up to the project. This project is in line with government’s Harambee Prosperity Plan,” Kapenda maintained.
Shinyengu in turn defended his decision to allow the establishment of the factory. “I gave them permission to look at other surrounding villages too, but they came back and chose our village. We need to develop our villages and country at large,” he said.
Groot Group says it also plans a glass manufacturing factory in Tses village in the Karas Region. The silica sand, according to Kapenda, will be used in the glass plant to be set up in Tses.
“Silica is a very important commodity. At least 50 percent of your house is made of silica sand. The tiles in the house, your plates, even the swimming pool,” Kapenda explained.
He maintained that Shinyengu had promised to finalise the registration of the land in the name of Groot Group by Wednesday and that the plant will then get off the ground.
“This is something that was well planned since 2014. Iit is not something new,” he said. The company’s aim is to process white sand and export some overseas for the purpose of manufacturing glass, tiles and toilet pots, among others.