Govt, NAU pledge more consultations over land

THE Government and the Namibia Agricultural Union (NAU) say consultation is the only option available in solving the burning issue of land reform in Namibia.

In a joint statement issued this week, the Ministry of Lands and the NAU said there was a “sound relationship between the institutions”, as well as a common understanding that consultation would continue in good faith. Three weeks ago, newly elected NAU President Raimar von Hase told The Namibian that expropriation was inevitable but Government needed to be more transparent in its dealings with farmers.Von Hase said uncertainty over expropriation had forced some farmers to halt plans for investment on their land.In the process, the national economy was negatively affected.Government has repeatedly stressed that it would stick to the letter of the law in pursuing expropriation, although some sections of the ruling Swapo Party and its affiliated unions have called for land grabs.The statement irked the Ministry of Lands, which responded by stating that it was taken aback by the NAU claims that white commercial farmers were in the dark about the criteria used to identify farms for expropriation.Lands Permanent Secretary Frans Tsheehama called on the NAU to approach the land issue “with prudence and a sober mind”.He said the NAU had been informed of the criteria used to identify the farms for expropriation but opted to plead ignorance.Following the statements, Von Hase met separately with the Minister of Lands, Hifikepunye Pohamba, and Tsheehama to discuss how to work together on land reform.The NAU and the Ministry agreed that land reform was a sensitive and emotional issue and needed to be solved quickly.Around 20 commercial farmers have been given notice that the Government intends to expropriate their land.Three weeks ago, newly elected NAU President Raimar von Hase told The Namibian that expropriation was inevitable but Government needed to be more transparent in its dealings with farmers.Von Hase said uncertainty over expropriation had forced some farmers to halt plans for investment on their land.In the process, the national economy was negatively affected.Government has repeatedly stressed that it would stick to the letter of the law in pursuing expropriation, although some sections of the ruling Swapo Party and its affiliated unions have called for land grabs.The statement irked the Ministry of Lands, which responded by stating that it was taken aback by the NAU claims that white commercial farmers were in the dark about the criteria used to identify farms for expropriation.Lands Permanent Secretary Frans Tsheehama called on the NAU to approach the land issue “with prudence and a sober mind”.He said the NAU had been informed of the criteria used to identify the farms for expropriation but opted to plead ignorance.Following the statements, Von Hase met separately with the Minister of Lands, Hifikepunye Pohamba, and Tsheehama to discuss how to work together on land reform.The NAU and the Ministry agreed that land reform was a sensitive and emotional issue and needed to be solved quickly.Around 20 commercial farmers have been given notice that the Government intends to expropriate their land.