By Staff Writer WINDHOEK The row that saw Mafwe and Masubia tribesmen at loggerheads over the ownership of Muyako was resolved in favour of the Masubia. Muyako is a fertile piece of land including Lake Liambezi where subsistence farmers from both tribes cultivate crops. There have been frequent clashes over ownership of the land. Masubia leader Chief Kisco Liswani III, who yesterday confirmed the ruling that came through a presidential decree, was modest in triumph saying he believes the two tribes can live side by side, in harmony without any trouble. Chief Liswani III expressed gratitude saying now that the dispute has been resolved, it could unlock the region’s developmental potential. He feels many government-initiated schemes such as the long-awaited sugar cane plantation and a host of other agriculture schemes could not get off the ground because some people derailed them claiming land ownership. The chief said his subjects are simply elated by the ruling that comes after the Council of Traditional Leaders that conducted protracted investigations “recommended that Muyako area be under the jurisdiction of the Masubia Traditional Authority.” President Hifikepunye Pohamba signed the decree, a copy of which was availed to both chiefs at a special meeting held recently at a lodge at Katima Mulilo. In the decree availed to the chiefs through the Minister of Regional and Local Government, Housing and Rural Development John Pandeni whose basis is the Council of Traditional Leaders Act of 1997 (Act No. 13 of 1997), as amended by the Council of Traditional Leaders Amendment Act of 2000 (Act No. 31 of 2000), the President mandated the minister to “inform all relevant stakeholders of my decision.” Chief Liswani III also informed hundreds of his subjects about the decision at a meeting held at Muyako last Friday. Mafwe leader Chief George Simasiku Mamili’s Khuta at Chinchimani broke the news last Sunday. Though the victors at Muyako greeted the announcement with song and dance, their rivals were not amused. They barred an NBC news crew dispatched to the meeting. “My views are indescribable and our people are overwhelmed with joy because for such a painfully long period the Muyako area has been engulfed in dispute,” said Chief Liswani III who says the region suffered as a result. “We are trailing other regions in terms of development because of this long-running dispute that has now been resolved. Though we are behind we humbly appeal and we welcome local and foreign investors to consider investing here,” spoke the chief from his tribal quarters at Bukalo. In reference to a case late last year that culminated in the arrest of several Mafwe including a prominent human rights activist, he said his subjects have for a long time been bullied, assaulted but he had urged restraint leaving everything in the hands of government. Though the majority of Muyako residents are Liswani III’s subjects the Mafwe have contended all along that the area under contention is their “ancestral land” and accuse Masubia of engaging in acts of land grabbing.