OSHAKATI- A disagreement between Oshakati Town Council and a 61-year-old resident of Ehenye, Antonius Amugongo, has come up again as the council starts developing Ehenye Extension 1.

Under the Communal Land Reform Act No. 5 of 2002, when communal land is taken for public purposes, affected residents must be compensated, either through an agreement with authorities or by arbitration if no agreement is reached.Compensation normally covers the value of land and improvements, and in some cases, residents may also be offered alternative plots.

The law further expects residents to cooperate with town councils by signing agreements, attending meetings, and following procedures so that development can move forward smoothly, while councils in return must act fairly, transparently, and within policy guidelines to avoid disputes.

Years ago, the council paid residents of Ehenye money to take over their land, but Amugongo refused.

He said the money offered was too little and that people were not given new plots after compensation.

Amugongo said he was surprised when workers came to his land without asking him.

“On Saturday, I just saw poles in front of my house. I then called one of the officials, who explained to me that they were only measuring the pond next to my house,” he said.

He believes the council is not following the rules for compensating people who live on communal land.

He explained that he refused to be compensated because the money is too little.

“Imagine getting N$600 000 for more than 18 hectares. Most people in Ehenye were paid very small amounts, some as little as N$9 000, and they were not given new land,” Amugongo stated.

He said this unfair process left many families suffering because they had no proper place to stay after giving up their land.

Oshakati Town Council Chief Executive Officer, Timoteus Namwandi, said their visit to Amugongo’s place was not for a meeting but for technical work.

“We came here for technical issues, not meetings. Meetings are done by council members, not us,” Namwandi said.

According to him, the council is servicing 200 plots in Extension 1. He indicated that these plots will be used to relocate some residents who are able to build houses from the Oneshila informal settlement.

“After we finish here, Oneshila will also be formalised. The aim is to provide proper housing and remove shacks,” Namwandi explained. Ehenye, now known as Extension 1, and Oneshila are only divided by a gravel road.

The council says housing projects are already in place to help residents who agree to move into serviced areas.The case of Amugongo shows how land disputes continue to cause problems as Oshakati grows and tries to expand.Still, not everyone is happy.

Some people from Ehenye say they were paid too little during compensation and have been left with nothing.Tomas Iipinge said he was compensated with only N$12 000, but he never received a plot.

“I used the money to rent, and now I have nothing left. I feel cheated,” he said.Selma Nghidimbwa said she is worried because she has not seen her name on the list for new plots.

“The council told us to wait, but where must we go when they take our land?” she asked.

Gabriel Haidula added his family was promised better land, but they are still waiting after many years.“We are stuck, and our children are growing up without a proper home,” he said.

Villagers from Onawa, who will soon be compensated, also said they are unhappy with the process. vkaapanda@nepc.com.na