Auleria Wakudumo
Okashana communal livestock herders and the surrounding communities of Okashana Kuukongo waNehale protested against the alleged illegal fencing of the grazing area last week.
The protesters marched to the Oshikoto Regional Council to hand over a petition demanding an end to the ongoing illegal fencing off and occupation of large hectares of communal grazing land in the area.
The situation, the protestors said, has left most small-scale farmers with little to no grazing land for their already destitute livestock.
Okashana communal herders’ spokesperson, Selma Shihepo, said “Okashana Kuukongo waNehale is an open area where people have been grazing livestock for many decades.”
Shihepo said the area has been apparently invaded by individuals, including well-connected politicians and businesspeople with close ties to the Ondonga Traditional Authority.
The fencing off of Okashana has allegedly been done without consultation of either King Nehale conservancy management, communal land board, affected cattle herders, or the headmen of villages surrounding the fenced-off areas.
Even though they have reached out to the police and received no help, the protestors continue to appeal to the police in Okashana and Omuthiya to intervene.
“We request the regional governor of Oshikoto, Penda Ya Ndakolo, together with his councillors to intervene swiftly,” they said.
Protestors are calling on Ya Ndakolo and the Oshikoto land board to remove all illegal fences before 13 September 2024.
The affected communal herders from over 10 villagers said if their demand is not met, they will have no choice but to take the law into their own hands and remove all the illegal fences.
The Ondonga Traditional Authority has denied any illegal occupation or selling of land at Okashana Kuukongo waNehale.
(Okashan
a)
Caption: Illegal… Okashana communal livestock herders and surrounding communities are disappointed in the Ondonga Traditional Authority’s handling of land matters.
Photos: Auleria Wakudumo