Oshikoto police arrest 22 people for destroying fences

The police in the Oshikoto region say 22 people have been arrested for allegedly farming illegally in the Okashana area near Etosha National Park.

Okashana is located in the Omuthiya constituency of the Oshikoto region.

This is after fences were destroyed on Saturday morning by approximately 200 livestock herders who claim the fences were erected illegally. The fences were cut, while the poles were destroyed with axes and left lying on the ground.

Regional crime investigations coordinator deputy commissioner Titus Ekandjo told The Namibian yesterday the suspects are facing charges of malicious damage to property, inciting public violence and arson.

They are expected to appear in court tomorrow.

Enos Uusiku, one of those accused of destroying the fences, told The Namibian yesterday 18 people were arrested for allegedly destroying the illegal fences.

Uusiku said livestock herders have lost out on grazing land due to the fencing because the area is too small to accommodate approximately 6 000 livestock.

“We have been grazing in this area since the 1950s and our late chiefs never wanted this area to be fenced off. This area has always been reserved for livestock herders,” Uusiku said.

Uusiku added that the herders held a demonstration about two weeks ago and submitted a petition containing their grievances to Oshikoto governor Penda Ya Ndakolo.

Prior to submitting the petition, Uusiku said they wrote to the Oshikoto Land Board on 1 August.

“We gave them until 13 September to remove their fences. If not, we would cut them and that is what we did,” Uusiku said.

Uusiku claimed police officers shot at them with rubber bullets as they were about to leave the area and some herders were injured.

He further noted that their traditional wells, earth dams and a soccer field were enclosed by the fencing.

Uusiku said he was also expected to be arrested yesterday.

Ondonga Traditional Authority secretary Frans Enkali has condemned the destruction of the fences.

Speaking to The Namibian yesterday, Enkali said some of those claiming the area as their grazing ground do not have permission to graze there.

“No one has a document from a chief that permits them to graze there. How can you declare the fence illegal when you are not the headman or chief in the area? How can someone come from their houses and decide to destroy the fence?” Enkali asked.

He said some of the plots the livestock herders are complaining about have been fenced off since independence.

He claimed that some herders have come from far away areas to graze there.

“This situation is chaotic and cannot be condoned,” Enkali said.

He added that although the livestock herders presented a petition to Ya Ndakolo, ample time should be given to refer the letter to the appropriate authorities and for a response to be drafted.

Enkali described the incidents as unfortunate, noting that some of the accused people served in law enforcement institutions.
He added that even the traditional authority itself does not cut fencing materials when a fence is illegal but rolls the materials and takes them to its office.

Enkali emphasised that property damage cannot be condoned.

Omuthiya constituency councillor Samuel Shivute said he could not comment on the matter, as his office did not send those who destroyed the fences.

Ya Ndakolo did not answer calls to his mobile phone.

NamRights executive director Phil ya Nangoloh has urged both the authorities to investigate allegations of illegal fencing of communal lands at Okashana, Onoolongo and other commonages in the Ondonga communal area.

“NamRights strongly condemns all forms of violence and incitements thereto in those areas of the Ondonga communal area,” he said.

Ya Nangoloh urged citizens who have taken or still intend to take the law into their own hands to destroy fences at Okashana, Onoolongo, or any other places in the Ondonga communal area to immediately cease and desist from such “unlawful conduct”.