More court action for evicted farmers

FORTY-FIVE Oshiwambo-speaking farmers, allegedly illegally grazing their cattle in western Kavango, were summoned to appear in the Rundu Magistrate’s Court yesterday.

The farmers’ spokesperson, Vilho Hamunyela, told The Namibian over the weekend that he and 44 other farmers received the summons last month. He said the Police had told them that 29 more farmers would soon be summoned to appear before the same court.In Windhoek last week, the High Court reserved judgement on an application by the Ukwangali Traditional Authority, its head, Chief Daniel Sitentu Mpasi, the Kavango Communal Land Board and Government for a court order evicting nine Oshiwambo-speaking farmers and their livestock from the Ukwangali tribal area in western Kavango.The nine farmers last year obtained a court order allowing their cattle to return to the disputed grazing area, but with the added condition that Chief Mpasi could at a later stage take legal action under the Communal Land Reform Act to have the livestock removed from the area.He said the Police had told them that 29 more farmers would soon be summoned to appear before the same court.In Windhoek last week, the High Court reserved judgement on an application by the Ukwangali Traditional Authority, its head, Chief Daniel Sitentu Mpasi, the Kavango Communal Land Board and Government for a court order evicting nine Oshiwambo-speaking farmers and their livestock from the Ukwangali tribal area in western Kavango.The nine farmers last year obtained a court order allowing their cattle to return to the disputed grazing area, but with the added condition that Chief Mpasi could at a later stage take legal action under the Communal Land Reform Act to have the livestock removed from the area.