NAU rejects foreign pressure

A MOTION by the Otjiwarongo Farmers’ Association to call on the international community to put pressure on the Namibian Government to carry out the land reform programme “responsibly”, was rejected by the Namibia Agricultural Union leadership.

The farmers from the Otjiwarongo area on Friday proposed a motion calling on the NAU leadership to approach the international community. They wanted the international community to use the same force it used against the South African regime that colonised Namibia.”I told them ‘no we can’t do that’.I told them that there is only one institution we can deal with and that is the Government of Namibia.They have a responsibility for Namibia and, secondly, they are willing to talk to us,” NAU President Jan de Wet told The Namibian.He said the NAU was not there to confront, but rather to consult with the Government, which was prepared to handle the land reform process with responsibility as a key factor.”I told them that expropriation is a fait accompli.We are busy talking to the Government about the process,” De Wet said.He said Government agreed to extend a deadline for some farmers to make an offer to sell their property.The new date was June 30 when the NAU leadership was expected to table a document, compiled by a team of experts, which will help farmers and the Government through expropriation procedures.De Wet said the NAU would continue with efforts to get a clear picture on the criteria the Government has set for expropriation.”At the moment, we only hear two words.We need more than just compensation and public interest.We need clear guidelines because other farmers who have not received notices are in the dark,” said De Wet.He said some farmers had started cancelling plans to develop their land because they did not know what awaited them and the process was affecting the national economy negatively.Government requested some 15 white farmers to table their prices last month.While awaiting final confirmations, Government served another group of farmers with new notices last week.Government has repeatedly stressed that the law will be followed, although some sections of the ruling Swapo and its affiliated unions have called for land grabs.They wanted the international community to use the same force it used against the South African regime that colonised Namibia.”I told them ‘no we can’t do that’.I told them that there is only one institution we can deal with and that is the Government of Namibia.They have a responsibility for Namibia and, secondly, they are willing to talk to us,” NAU President Jan de Wet told The Namibian.He said the NAU was not there to confront, but rather to consult with the Government, which was prepared to handle the land reform process with responsibility as a key factor.”I told them that expropriation is a fait accompli.We are busy talking to the Government about the process,” De Wet said.He said Government agreed to extend a deadline for some farmers to make an offer to sell their property.The new date was June 30 when the NAU leadership was expected to table a document, compiled by a team of experts, which will help farmers and the Government through expropriation procedures.De Wet said the NAU would continue with efforts to get a clear picture on the criteria the Government has set for expropriation.”At the moment, we only hear two words.We need more than just compensation and public interest.We need clear guidelines because other farmers who have not received notices are in the dark,” said De Wet.He said some farmers had started cancelling plans to develop their land because they did not know what awaited them and the process was affecting the national economy negatively.Government requested some 15 white farmers to table their prices last month.While awaiting final confirmations, Government served another group of farmers with new notices last week.Government has repeatedly stressed that the law will be followed, although some sections of the ruling Swapo and its affiliated unions have called for land grabs.