By: Ludorf Iyambo
The Ministry of Agriculture, Water, and Land Reform has warned the public regarding the alarming trend of illegal land transactions in the Oshana region.
This comes after the Ministry’s Communal Land Board department in Oshana region reported an influx of cases involving the unauthorised sale and occupation of communal land, particularly in strategic areas surrounding the towns of Oshakati, Ongwediva, and Ondangwa.
It is crucial for the public to understand that land within town layouts, falling under the jurisdiction of respective Town Councils, is not available for sale, the Oshana Land Board said.
The Land Board emphasised that communal land cannot be sold as freehold land to any individual, as per Section 42 of the Communal Land Reform Act, 2002 (Act No. 5 of 2002).
Numerous individuals have already fallen victim to these illicit land transactions, notably along the B1 road between Ongwediva and Ondangwa.
The Land Board urges Namibian citizens, especially residents in communal areas, to adhere to prescribed procedures to safeguard their customary land rights.
The Land Board advised individuals to initiate the process by identifying the desired land portion with the village headman or woman of the respective traditional authority.
“Identify the portion of land with the village headman or woman of the respective traditional authority and land parcel boundaries identified and collectively defined with the neighbouring landholders,” the Land Board told the public.
Once identified, the Agriculture Ministry verifies and maps the land parcel following an application.
This is followed by the display of a seven-day notice at the traditional authority office to invite objections from community members.
“The public is therefore urged to guard against illegal land deals and should report such illegal buying and selling of communal land in the Oshana region,” the Land Board said.
