NaCC buys time in rhino turf row

The Namibian Competition Commission (NaCC) has extended its directive on a disputed tourism deal in the Kunene region amid tensions between conservation, tourism and mining interests.

The commission has granted a 90-day extension on its directive for tour operator Ultimate Safaris and three conservancies in the Kunene region to terminate an agreement they signed, giving the company exclusive rights over their area.

NaCC spokesperson Gina Gowases yesterday announced the directive after the expiry of the initial 30-day ultimatum.

The commission and environment ministry met and agreed to a 90-day extension to determine a way forward, she said.

The commission had initially directed the Sorris Sorris, Doro-Nawas and Uibasen-Twyfelfontein conservancies to terminate their agreement with Ultimate Safaris after Timoteus Mashuna, who owns mining claims in the Sorris Sorris conservancy complained that Ultimate Safaris “was manipulating the agreement”.

The agreement established a joint management area (JMA) across the three conservancies, but the Red Mountain JMA was rejected by the Kunene Land Board that felt the area was too big and the 99-year lease sought is too long.

The NaCC also questioned the legality of the JMA.

Mashuna is embroiled in a dispute with Ultimate Safaris and the Doro-Nawas and Uibasen-Twyfelfontein conservancies over starting mining operations at his claims at Goantagab Mine.

The matter has spilled into the country’s courts.
TOURISM VS MINING

The JMA proponents are opposed to the resumption of mining in the area, because they claim the use of heavy machinery would scare away the rhinos – a tourism drawcard.

They filed two court applications seeking to stop the reopening of the abandoned tin mine in the Sorris Sorris conservancy and the upgrading of a road leading to the site for ease of passage.

Ultimate Safaris and two conservancies secured interim interdicts in both applications, pending full hearings at a date to be set.

Mashuna says the indefinite High Court interdict against the reopening of Goantagab Mine has prevented his company from mining high-grade tin and employing up to 400 people from the local community.

He says this is a ploy for his three-year mining licence to expire paving the way for the previous miner, Pieter Hougaard, who is allegedly favoured by the JMA proponents, to take over.

Hougaard could not be reached yesterday, but has admitted he had also submitted an application for the mine.

“We are incurring huge costs on equipment hire and labour costs while not working because of the interdicts,” he said.

Mashuna slammed the travel company as being “manipulative” and hiding behind rhino protection.

He said the ministry was responsible for the clearance certificate, as well as bringing the rhino to the area and allowing Ultimate Safaris to operate in the area.

Sorris Sorris falls under the Daure Daman Traditional Authority.

Chief Zacharias Seibeb supports the reopening of the mine to create jobs and has called for the co-existence of mining and tourism.

Ultimate Safaris managing director Tristan Cowley has consistently rejected this proposal, saying mining has the potential to displace tourism in the area.

The recently re-elected chairperson of the Sorris Sorris conservancy, Elia Manga, acknowledged receipt of the directive from the NaCC.

He, however, said the three conservancies had decided to submit a joint response to the ministry of tourism as partners to the JMA, instead of writing individually to the NaCC.

He said while the JMA proposal was rejected by the Kunene Land Board, that did not nullify their partnership and operational plan with Ultimate Safaris, which includes erecting checkpoints en route to the area.

Cowley said the access points are an anti-poaching mechanism.

Manga said for tourism and mining to co-exist, mitigating factors must be clearly spelt out.

– email: matthew@namibian.com.na