Mulisa Simiyasa 

OTJIWARONGO – The Otjozondjupa Communal Land Board has announced plans to remove a total of 27 illegal fences in the villages of Tsumkwe West and Okakarara.

The chairperson of the Otjozondjupa Communal Land Board, Jackson Hindjou, said in an interview with Nampa on Wednesday, the illegal fences have, for a long time, deprived other residents of the opportunity to benefit equally from state natural resources. 

He said some individuals had fenced off vast tracts of grazing land and water resources, which should be shared by everyone in the community. Hindjou added that three illegal fences covering 18 kilometres had been identified in the Okakarara area while in Tsumkwe West, approximately 24 illegal fences were also identified, covering a total of 148 kilometres of fenced-off land in the villages of //Ha-Du, Kameelwood, Bubi Pos, Omatako and Kanovlei.

“We will start removing them as from 18 March 2025 using members of the National Youth Service,” said Hindjou.

The removal is expected to commence at Okakarara’s Ohamuheke village on 18 March 2025 and conclude on 24 March 2025 at Kanovlei village, Tsumkwe West.

“We have also informed police officers in the region to be present when we pull down these illegal fences,” said Hindjou.

He added that the owners of the illegal fences and other structures had been served with notices and are aware of the Government’s decision to remove them.

The deputy director of the Lands Division in Otjozondjupa region, Gotlieb Elifas, will also be present when the illegal fences are pulled down. -Nampa