Customize Consent Preferences

We use cookies to help you navigate efficiently and perform certain functions. You will find detailed information about all cookies under each consent category below.

The cookies that are categorized as "Necessary" are stored on your browser as they are essential for enabling the basic functionalities of the site. ... 

Always Active

Necessary cookies are required to enable the basic features of this site, such as providing secure log-in or adjusting your consent preferences. These cookies do not store any personally identifiable data.

No cookies to display.

Functional cookies help perform certain functionalities like sharing the content of the website on social media platforms, collecting feedback, and other third-party features.

No cookies to display.

Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. These cookies help provide information on metrics such as the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc.

No cookies to display.

Performance cookies are used to understand and analyze the key performance indexes of the website which helps in delivering a better user experience for the visitors.

No cookies to display.

Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with customized advertisements based on the pages you visited previously and to analyze the effectiveness of the ad campaigns.

No cookies to display.

Ueitele vows to curb illegal communal fencing

Home National Ueitele vows to curb illegal communal fencing

Omaheke Regional Governor Festus Ueitele has vowed to work hand-in-hand with the newly appointed communal land board to combat illegal fencing of communal land in the Omaheke Region.

“There are individuals I personally know who have fenced off massive land in Eiseb, Otjombinde, Epukiro, Aminuis and Otjinene and this should come to an end,” said Ueitele.
Speaking to New Era yesterday, Ueitele said the practice is of serious concern as it deprives the poor of access to communal land for grazing.

About 80 percent of communal land in Omaheke is said to have been fenced off causing common grazing areas to diminish at an alarming rate.

“As a governor I cannot say remove this or that but I am very confident that together with the newly appointed board members we will be able to curb this,” he said.

He said poor farmers’ cattle are grazing in corridors while large portions of land have been fenced off – “creating problems for others including elderly pensioners”.

Ueitele appealed to villagers to refrain from illegal fencing and to respect the law.
“There are laws and procedures. You will be caught eventually – even if you pat yourself on the shoulder today for having taken large portions of land,” said Ueitele.

He further urged all traditional leaders in the region who have erected illegal fences to be an example to their subjects.
Sections 18 & 44 of the Communal Land Reform Act (Act No. 5 of 2002) prohibit people from erecting fences at any place in the communal area that has not been approved by the Communal Land Board.

Those violating the provisions of the Communal Land Reform Act (Act No. 5 of 2002) with regard to illegal fencing are liable for punishment of a maximum fine of N$4 000 or one year imprisonment, or both depending on the circumstances of the committed crime.

Although the Act does not prescribe to those who had put up their fences before the new Act, they still need to seek authorisation from the Ministry of Land Reform headed by Utoni Nujoma to keep those fences.
As part of his last assignment as Minister of Lands and Resettlement, Alpheus !Naruseb last month appointed five new members of the Lands Tribunal, as well as new members of the Communal Land Boards to serve for a three-year term.

The Lands Tribunal members are Chairperson Eliz Angala – a lawyer, Clive Kavendjii – a lawyer, Rhyno van der Walt, Orben Sibeya – also a lawyer, and Clara Bohitile – a former Swapo MP.