Two farmers’ associations in the Omusati region have accused the Sheya Shuushona Conservancy of attempting to illegally erect a fence and build an airstrip in their grazing area.
The area contested by the Kuugongelwa and Ekango Farmers’ Associations is located near Etosha National Park in the Otamanzi constituency.
In a letter to the Omusati Communal Land Board on 28 May, the associations accused the conservancy of failing to properly apply for land use rights and demanded a halt to all operations, as well as the removal of construction equipment.
The farmers associations allege that the conservancy only applied for the right to construct an airstrip, not erect a fence.
They also allege that the conservancy began constructing the airstrip before the application process was completed.
“This has angered the farmers who are farming in that commonage area.”
The farmers demand a halt to all “illegal operations” and the removal of earth-moving equipment being used to clear the land.
The farmers allege that land clearance has resulted in damage to the environment, since no environmental impact assessment was conducted.
The farmers further requested that the Omusati Communal Land Board reveal its agreement with the Sheya Shuushona Conservancy and its investors, as required by the Ministry of Agriculture, Water and Land Reform.
The farmers also want the airstrip moved to Okahao, Otamanzi or Okeeholongo.
They further called for the conservancy to be fined for any damages caused and compelled to restore the affected grazing area.
“We request the land board to compel Sheya Shuushona Conservancy to do the restoration of the destructed sand and take full responsibility for all the damages to the environment and landscape which our farming is depending on.”
Kuugongelwa Farmers’ Association chairperson Sem Kandjimwena said about 200 farmers with a combined total of 14 000 domestic animals use the area for grazing.
He said if the area is fenced off, farmers will lose grazing land and be cut off from access to the salt pan, which they rely on for their domestic salt.
The conservancy has also constructed a lodge near the salt pan and has cleared a space for 1,7km airstrip, he said.
Kandjimwena told The Namibian on Saturday many animals survived the 2019 drought because they were taken to that area.
“The area has 18 000 hectares so the area it’s very big. If Sheya Shuushona goes ahead with the erection of a fence, many farms will lose the grazing area and their animals will eventually die,” Kandjimwena said.
He noted that although the farmers did not engage with the Sheya Shuushona Conservancy, they had a discussion with Ongandjera king Johannes Mupiya, who reportedly said he would not permit a fence to be erected, but would give consent for the construction of the airstrip.
Ongandjera Traditional Authority spokesperson Sakeus Shangula yesterday said Mupiya gave consent for the construction of the airstrip pending final permission from the Omusati Regional Communal Land Board.
“There is no fence that has been erected and the construction of the airstrip has been halted,” Shangula said.
However, Ekango Farmers’ Association chairperson Tarah Iita said there was earth moving equipment clearing the area for the airstrip.
“They only stopped when we started complaining,” Iita said.
Iita accused the conservancy of not consulting farmers.
Otamanzi constituency councillor Johaness Iiyambo yesterday said the conservancy did not meet certain requirements before attempting to fence off the land.
Contacted for comment on Saturday, Sheya Shuushona Conservancy’s chairperson Hilda Haipinge said she was in a meeting and could only comment later. Contacted again on Sunday, Haipinge said she was unable to comment.
Two SMSes sent to her cellphone on Sunday went unanswered, as did further calls to her cellphone.
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