Windhoek
Ovitoto Chief Vipuira Kapuuo has commended government for the timely deliverance of resettlement farms to the residents of Ovitoto in the Omatako Constituency, Otjozondjupa Region.
Last year close to a 100 villagers of the settlement staged a peaceful protest urging the government to incorporate the procured resettlement farm Otjisazu No. 53, Unit B into the Ovitoto communal area.
The protest followed government’s announcement earlier that year of the resettlement of 37 people from Hochfeld area at farm Otjisazu No. 53, Unit B.
According to Kapuuo, government has since resettled some of the Ovitoto residents near Grootfontein in the Otjozondjupa Region and some near Gobabis in the Omaheke Region.
Speaking to New Era yesterday, Kapuuo said that amid government efforts to solve the land redistribution at the settlement many settlers remain landless.
“We acknowledge government efforts, however residents at Ovitoto are still landless,” said Kapuuo who also serves as the chairperson of the Ovaherero Traditional Authority.
Kapuuo used the opportunity to condemn the recent killing of a suspected poacher Andreas Ukandanga on farm Otukaruno, No. 43 in the Okahandja district last week.
Nampa this week reported that Kai Rust, the 43 -year-old man accused of shooting and killing a suspected poacher on the said farm was on Friday remanded in custody.
According to the news agency he made his first court appearance before Okahandja magistrate Masule Kwizi, who explained to him his legal right either to engage a private lawyer of his choice; apply for a state-funded lawyer through the Ministry of Justice’s Legal Aid Directorate; or defend himself in court. The case was postponed to April 6.
Kapuuo said he “is profoundly alarmed by the growing number of farm related killings in the area in the last few years”. He warned residents to refrain from entering private lands saying that entering private land is illegal and can also be dangerous.