Ongwediva
Residents in some areas of Okongo have accused the Oukwanyama Traditional Authority of illegally fencing off land, a practice that is currently rife in the area.
Sources who choose to remain anonymous for fear of possible reprisals say the area is currently swarming with people implicated in fencing off communal land illegally.
Sources allege the traditional authority is equally guilty by being at the helm of illegally dishing out land to occupants.
“What are we expected to do if some of these people are put there by the traditional authority? How do we expect the situation to be remedied if the very same people who are supposed to take care of the matter are involved?” questioned a source.
The spokesperson of the Oukwanyama Traditional Authority George Nelulu dismissed the allegations, arguing that the powers of dishing out land in the villages lies solely with the headmen.
Nelulu further argued that occupying land without the headmen’s approval is illegal. He warns people to refrain from occupying land illegally saying that the culprits would be dealt with accordingly.
“When you get a piece of land in a village it is usually accompanied by a certificate from the headman. So if you have land but you do not have a certificate it means you have acquired it dubiously,” clarified Nelulu.
Nelulu further said that in collaboration with the government, traditional authorities have the responsibility to curb the illegal fencing of communal land.
“And together we will ensure that culprits are brought to book,” assured Nelulu.
Secretary to the Queen of Oukwanyama, Nahas Ndevahoma, who is representing the traditional authority in the Omadiko district confirmed that illegal fencing is particularly widespread at Omufitu waamenwa and Omufitu wekuta alike.
Ndevahoma said the traditional authority has time and again intervened to advise the community of the correct procedures to follow, however their advice has often fallen on deaf ears.
“We talk to them every now and then, but people just do as they please,” related Ndevahoma.
Sources claim villages such as Onaame one and two, Eyovela, Ondeshi and Omilyambabi are enduring the same.
In addition, the sources also claim that in one of the aforementioned villages there are about six villages with illegal occupants.