The Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Land Reform has intensified a nationwide campaign to remove illegal fences erected on communal land.
This was announced by agriculture ministry spokesperson Romeo Muyunda in a media statement issued on Wednesday.
“The operation forms part of the ministry’s ongoing commitment to protect communal land rights, safeguard common grazing areas and ensure that communal land remains accessible for the benefit of all lawful users,” Muyunda says.
According to the spokesperson, the programme began in the Omaheke region before expanding to the Kavango East and Kavango West regions, and is currently underway in the Oshikoto region. Similar operations will be rolled out in other communal areas across the country.
Since 2025, five illegal fences covering about 4 000 hectares have been removed in the Kavango East region, while two additional fence owners voluntarily dismantled their structures after engaging authorities.
In the Kavango West region, three illegal fences covering 2 914 hectares have been removed, while two illegal fences were dismantled in the Omaheke region.
The spokesperson says the current operation in the Oshikoto region is expected to result in the removal of two more illegal fences.
Muyunda has thanked the Namibia Youth Service for assisting with the physical removal of illegal fences, saying its members’ professionalism and commitment have contributed to the programme’s success.
The ministry urges communal land users to obtain the necessary approvals from traditional authorities and communal land boards before erecting fences.
