Uakutura Kambaekua
OPUWO – Several traditional authorities (TAs) in Kunene and Omusati regions, and the Kunene Communal Land Board, are at odds over land distribution, lease and sale approvals.
The situation has worsened an already strained relationship between the authorities.
Last week, the Mumbuu and Tjijeura traditional authorities, as well as the Uukwaluudhi, Tjimuhiva, Otjikaoko TAs, and Vita Tom Royal House, gathered at Opuwo to attend the Appeal Tribunal appointed by the Minister of Land Reform Calle Schlettwein.
The purpose of the gathering was to hear an appeal from the Mumbuu and Tjijuera TAs seeking the nullification and dismissal of all land applications issued by the Vita Tom Royal House, Otjikaoko, Uukwaluudhi, and Tjimuhiva TAs, which had been ratified by the Kunene land board.
The appellants (Mumbuu and Tjijeura) were disgruntled with the outcome of the previous proceeding last year, which was given in favour of the respondent, and sought a review from the minister to overturn or amend the judgment.
The appellants alleged the other traditional authorities engaged in questionable land deals, including the sale of customary land without the chiefs’ approval, as well as the fencing off of communal fields without following set down procedures.
Chief Uapundua Edward Mumbuu maintained there is no part of Uukwaluudhi in Kunene area, and questioned why they had the authority to grant land in a jurisdiction they should not control.
“Some people perceive Kaokoland to be part of Ovamboland. Our chiefs did not approve any land applications, it was between the traditional councillors, headmen and land board… and one unknown person who signed on behalf of the Uukwaluudhi,” he said.
Mumbuu requested that all existing applications be declared null and void and discarded.
“The distribution of land was done without following correct procedures. Our land is being dished out by others for personal benefits,” he charged.
Mumbuu claims the land issued out, allotted, or sold was in the vicinity of Omakange and Okomakuara, which is in Kaokoland and not the Uukwaluudhi area of jurisdiction.
Once again, the land board argued that they could not find any reasonable logic not to ratify the land applications, claiming that land allocations and approvals were made by the chiefs of respective traditional authorities whose consent letters were delivered alongside the applications for the land.
Ottilie Hamukoto, a Kunene Communal Land Board official, indicated during Wednesday’s tribunal that all of the applicants’ requirements were met, and the board was satisfied.
The Kunene Communal Land Board approved 18 applications.
According to Hamukoto, the board determined that the appellants’ arguments to the claim lacked merit, and thus ruled it invalid.
“Vita Tom Royal House, Uukwaluudhi, and Otjikaoko consented to the applications and gave authority as they are required to do,” she said.
Gustav Tjimuhiva, a senior councillor of the Tjimuhiva Traditional Authority, questioned the validity of the Tjijeura and Mumbuu authorities’, claims that since they are not gazetted, they lack the locus standi to interfere in their affairs.
He went on to say the report was more than just about the land; it was a “tribal witchhunt” against the Uukwaluudhi.
Ben Kapi, secretary of Vita Tom Royal House, said the appellants did not follow all processes since the reporters were unfamiliar with customary land rules.
“They are not well vested with customary land laws, they should have consulted before going to the minister,” he said.
-Nampa