Land bill aims to compensate loss of communal land ownership

The Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Land Reform says the reformed land bill will compensate for the termination or cancellation of communal land rights.

Compensation will also cover agricultural infrastructure development in communal areas, capacity building for beneficiaries, provision of farming inputs, and expenditure incurred in land valuation.

Agricultural minister Inge Zaamwani-Kamwi tabled the long-awaited land bill in the National Assembly on 30 September.

The bill, among other things, deals with communal land, provides for the establishment of the Communal Land Development Fund, from which these compensations will be channelled.

“This chapter deals with the administration of communal land, the establishment of communal land boards, their roles, powers and functions,” she said.

It also outlines the powers of traditional authorities regarding the allocation of communal land and the establishment of land committees where recognised traditional authorities are absent.

The bill prohibits foreign nationals from acquiring or being allocated customary land rights, or from entering into agreements to obtain such rights.

However, foreign nationals may be granted leasehold rights under special terms and conditions to invest, create jobs, and contribute to the national economy.

“Any person who enters into an agreement or arrangement with a foreign national to acquire customary land rights in whatever form (illegally), will be liable to a fine not exceeding N$50 000 or to imprisonment for a period not exceeding 10 years or to both such fine and such imprisonment,” she said.

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