Otjiwarongo to start impounding livestock on Sunday

The Otjiwarongo municipality has announced it would begin impounding livestock found roaming the streets and central business district (CBD) of the town on Sunday.

The announcement was made during a meeting with nearly 80 illegal farmers at Camp Five on Saturday.

The municipality’s acting head of community services, Gotlieb Inongelwa, said as of Sunday livestock such as cattle, goats, sheep, and donkeys must no longer be seen on the streets, along the B1 road section of town, or in the CBD.

He said the animals are a danger to motorists and a health hazard to residents.

“We will issue fines and impound livestock, and we will only release the animals upon payment of a fee,” he said.

Inongelwa also said all illegal farmers who have constructed kraals around Otjiwarongo must vacate the area by the end of February.

He said the Local Authorities Act of 1992 prohibits livestock farming on townsland and says livestock can only be kept on designated land which is fenced off for such purposes.

Since August 2024, approximately 3 000 livestock animals have been recorded within the town.

Inongelwa said the Camp Five area, where kraals and temporary structures have been erected, is earmarked for future residential development for over 5 000 people.

“For those venturing into livestock farming, please approach the land reform office for resettlement, as the Otjiwarongo municipality only has land for human settlement,” he said.

An animal health technician in the Division of Veterinary Services, Aaron Tjaahapi, warned farmers to refrain from moving their livestock to Otjiwarongo illegally, as this is punishable with a fine of N$100 000 or five years’ imprisonment.

During the meeting, some farmers expressed concerns about the decision.

Monica Neumbo said she has been farming on the Otjiwarongo municipality’s land since 2008, and the eviction will complicate her life unless a plan is provided for her livestock.

Another farmer, Jasen Uiseb, proposed a final meeting where individual cases can be discussed.

Otjiwarongo chief executive Mberipura Hifitikeko set 28 January as the date for a final meeting with affected farmers, but made it clear that the eviction deadline of February would remain unchanged.