THE Oniipa Town Council in the Oshikoto region has warned residents against illegally selling and buying land.
In a media statement issued on Tuesday, the council said a lot of efforts had been made to curb land development and sales within the town boundaries without the council’s approval, but the problem persists.
Some residents sell and buy land illegally, while others construct buildings on sites they claim to be theirs without approved building plans as they do not follow proper procedures.
The council pointed out that the mandate to sell land within the town’s boundaries rests with the council.
“A person can only sell land for which he or she has a title deed,” reads the statement.
The council started taking aerial photographs of the town on Monday, and will do so until Friday. These photographs will be used in the re-planning and subsequent formalisation of the proposed Onethindi Extensions 2, 3 and 4.
The township of Onethindi Proper comprises 251 erven, of which 195 are zoned for residential purposes; 43 for businesses; three for the local authority; four as public open spaces; and six as undetermined land, which are currently being serviced.
“These are some of the developments the council has embarked upon to accelerate the economic development of the town and respond to the high demand for residential and business erven,” the council stated.
It commended community members who buy and develop land legally, and urged the general public to consult the town’s planning and technical services division for advice prior to engaging in any land deals and development activities.
The statement says three meetings to sensitise community members and two for the headmen on the issue were held in consultation with the Ondonga Traditional Authority.
Oniipa mayor Mannetjies Kambonde told Nampa during a community meeting last week called by Ondonga traditional senior councillor John Walenga that illegitimate land development and sales are prevalent in the Onethindi and Onamungundo settlements.
Oniipa was placed under the jurisdiction of the town council after the last regional and local authority elections.
– Nampa
Stay informed with The Namibian – your source for credible journalism. Get in-depth reporting and opinions for
only N$85 a month. Invest in journalism, invest in democracy –
Subscribe Now!
