Epupa mining complaints attributed to miscommunication

Miscomunication and a lack of a decentralised regional structure are to blame for complaints against mining activities in areas of the Epupa constituency in the Kunene region.

This is according to a report by ombudsman Basilius Dyakugha.

Late last year, Dyakugha and his team conducted an investigation into complaints by traditional leaders in the Epupa constituency regarding the extraction of minerals, mostly copper.

The team visited several mining sites including the Kaokoland and held meetings with communities concerning mining activities in the area.

Dyakugha on Tuesday reported: “The complaints regarding the alleged unlawful extraction of minerals in the Kunene region were largely attributed to poor communication, failure or lack of following decentralisation regional structures like village development committees, and insufficient consultation between miners, local communities and traditional leaders in the affected areas.”

The report noted that the power struggle between gazetted and non-gazetted traditional leaders remains a significant concern, and a primary cause of disunity among the leaders and their communities.

It further suggested that infighting between recognised and unrecognised leaders results in communities being segregated.

In the report, the ombudsman’s office suggested that all constituencies in the Kunene region should establish committees that collaborate with the traditional authorities in order to facilitate an inclusive and honest approach to mining activities, and also, to protect the rights of indigenous and marginalised communities.

“The Kunene Regional Council should ensure that each constituency office sets up village development committees and constituency development committees working with their respective traditional authorities,” the reported noted.

The objections against illegal mineral mining in the Epupa constituency were lodged on 5 March 2024 with the ombudsman’s office.

The report further warned that these types of problems may escalate with the growing mining interest in the region if no solution is found.
“The growing demand for mining activities in the Kunene region is likely to exacerbate these issues if no action is taken to address the concerns raised,” the report read.

During investigations in the Kunene region, the Office of the Ombudsman observed 1 042 new mining claims, 10 active mining licences and 327 active mining claims.

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