Outapi
Shivute Joel Amunyela, a traditional leader under the auspices of the Ongandjera Traditional Authority and headman of Onanyalala, says the “We fought for this country mentality” is the cause of many land disputes faced by traditional authorities.
Amunyela, who was speaking at a meeting of traditional leaders with Omusati Governor Erginus Endjala, said those with such mentality are making it difficult for traditional leaders to execute their duties. He said often traditional leaders are powerless to mitigate in cases of illegal fencing, because they are threatened with lawsuits.
The meeting of the traditional leaders was held at the Omusati Regional Council on Wednesday to address issues of land distribution, land boundaries and unfair treatment of communities by headmen, a problem that is apparently rife within traditional authority structures.
He informed the meeting that his office frequently receives complaints about traditional leaders dishing out land to the elite and acquaintances, at the expense of the poor.
He said the poor majority are denied land, because they cannot afford the fees they are asked to pay, a situation the governor also believes should not be the case.
“Communal land is not for sale. The N$600 that you are giving is a mere token of appreciation,” said Endjala. He warned against unfair distribution of land, alluding that the fight against poverty would be void and meaningless if communal land continues to be commercialised.
“How do we fight poverty if we, the poor, have no land and we continue to take their land from them? The poor are no longer getting land, because some headmen are looking at how much money the buyer can offer them,” Endjala said.
He appealed to traditional leaders to ensure that the people they entrust to lead their communities are trustworthy, transparent and will address the needs of the people they serve. Endjala accused some traditional leaders of being at the helm of the ongoing land disputes in the area.
“How do you expect a community to have peace if their leader has no respect and if they are also involved in criminal activities?” he asked.
A former Ruacana Constituency councillor, Abasta Iipinge, who is also a traditional leader under the Uukolonkadhi Traditional Authority, then proposed holding a land conference in the region to address land issues and enlighten traditional authorities about recent changes in the law. The governor seconded the proposal.
At the meeting, traditional leaders also appealed for an economic incentive and pointed out that their tasks are daunting.