Illegal Occupation In Maltahoehe

LAST weekend I went to have a look at advertised resettlement farms in the Hardap and Karas Regions, but I was surprised to find padlocks at the gate of the farm Riviera in the Maltahoehe District.

Upon enquiry, I was told that the keys are available from the Police Station at Maltahoehe, on the condition that after inspection you have to return the keys to them. So be it, but once I returned with the keys to the farm, I realised that there were people on the farm.Initially I thought these were the workers of Regional Resettlement Committee, but later realised that these people are “squatting” illegally.In principle I understand the difficulties that forced these people to take the law into their hands, because it is clearly stated on the resettlement application forms that the mere fact that you have filed your application does not give you the right to enter these farms.Now I am at lost, because if every Jack and Jill who faces difficulties with grazing land will occupy these farms, we are going to have a very unruly situation.More worrying is the fact (or the fear) that the present illegal occupants may get preferential treatment in the resettlement process.Our Government is not firm and fair in this regard.No one should be above the law, even if they are politically connected and in this case to the politicians and councillors in Maltahoehe.I am fully aware that some people will now try and blame the Hardap Governor, under whose authority the resettlement process in that region resorts.In some instances, however, we want to make things difficult for colleagues and I can fully guess that these illegal occupants have some political backing, just to put the Hardap Governor into dispute.If the Hardap Resettlement Officer(s) are not aware of these illegal occupants, this article may be an eye opener and I trust that these public officials will ensure that fairness prevails in the allocation of the Riviera farm resettlement units.Once any of these illegal occupants are resettled on this farm, it will definitely send wrong signals to our society.I did not see any problem with the rest of the farms advertised that I have visited and also want to congratulate the Government for the neat manner in which most of these farms are kept.Hannes Karools Via e-mailSo be it, but once I returned with the keys to the farm, I realised that there were people on the farm.Initially I thought these were the workers of Regional Resettlement Committee, but later realised that these people are “squatting” illegally.In principle I understand the difficulties that forced these people to take the law into their hands, because it is clearly stated on the resettlement application forms that the mere fact that you have filed your application does not give you the right to enter these farms.Now I am at lost, because if every Jack and Jill who faces difficulties with grazing land will occupy these farms, we are going to have a very unruly situation.More worrying is the fact (or the fear) that the present illegal occupants may get preferential treatment in the resettlement process.Our Government is not firm and fair in this regard.No one should be above the law, even if they are politically connected and in this case to the politicians and councillors in Maltahoehe.I am fully aware that some people will now try and blame the Hardap Governor, under whose authority the resettlement process in that region resorts.In some instances, however, we want to make things difficult for colleagues and I can fully guess that these illegal occupants have some political backing, just to put the Hardap Governor into dispute.If the Hardap Resettlement Officer(s) are not aware of these illegal occupants, this article may be an eye opener and I trust that these public officials will ensure that fairness prevails in the allocation of the Riviera farm resettlement units.Once any of these illegal occupants are resettled on this farm, it will definitely send wrong signals to our society.I did not see any problem with the rest of the farms advertised that I have visited and also want to congratulate the Government for the neat manner in which most of these farms are kept. Hannes Karools Via e-mail