• SHINOVENE IMMANUEL
and TIMO SHIHEPO
The advisory body has recommended that the government reduce the number of years before an unproductive farmer is removed from a farm to five.
The damning report, titled “;Pursuing Efficient National Agricultural Land Use for Enhanced Economic Growth and Food Security”;, was tabled and discussed at the Swapo policy conference over the weekend.
The report was produced by Swapo think tank chairperson Andrew Niikondo and members Shitaleni Herman and Martina Mokgatle.
“Well-connected individuals or elites become economically powerful with influence in all economic sectors, and the majority feels marginalised,” the report, dated June 2022, says.
“These well-connected individuals used their positions to gain control over large farms and directed government-subsidised inputs to these farms, including those in communal rural areas, alienating many rural communities.”
The Swapo research body says the communal land-reform policy of 2003 says new fences may not be erected without proper authorisation.
The think tank cites an example in the Kavango West region, where a headman has allegedly been dishing out land for N$8 000 and fencing land off since 2019, making it impossible for the community to use the inaccessible land.
“As these farms were created by acquiring and merging land without compensation, estranged but functional rural farming communities became disgruntled and turned to the government for support in terms of food security,” the report states.
“The elite also had interests in capital-intensive and large-scale infrastructure projects, and their businesses benefited from access to opportunities, such as getting land to build commercial apartments, retail shops, bottle stores etc. on,” it says.
According to the report, the elite “used their influence to recommend suppliers for kickbacks”.
“The consequence was a conflict between the regional and local government and farmers, for example, which even led to violence among them.
“Additionally, this has entrenched corruption and increased transaction costs, which still hampers development today.”
The think tank recommends that “the resettlement policy should be revisited so that the land tenure should be reduced to only five years”.
“If the resettled farmer is not performing and is not likely to contribute to the national economy, the land should be allocated to other people”.
The party”;s think tank says the government should test the system of cooperative farming, involving that about five people are resettled on a farm.
“This will enable the government to resettle as many people as possible, and the cooperatives are easy to support and monitor, and therefore their contribution to the national economy is certain.”
BENEFICIARIES
Swapo secretary general Sophia Shaningwa says she cannot comment on the report, since it did not mention any names.
“Who are the political elites? How do you expect me to respond to things that are not attached to names? Where did you get the report from?” she asks.
In 2015 former Cabinet members and chief of police inspector general Sebastian Ndeitunga were at the centre of the Ukwangali community”;s displeasure over land they received from the late chief Daniel Sitentu Mpasi.
It is alleged that these high-ranking officials have received over 10 000 hectares despite the government having pronounced that no one should have more than 20 hectares of land in a communal area.
The Kwangali Traditional Authority has been in the spotlight for allegedly dishing out land to influential politicians, including former president Hifikepunye Pohamba, several ministers and governors over the past few years.
Other alleged beneficiaries include former Ohangwena governor Uusko Nghaamwa, former transport minister Erkki Nghimtina, and the late former Namibian Defence Force commander, Dimo Hamaambo.
Ndeitunga last month told The Namibian he has followed procedure, and was allocated land, which is within the powers of the traditional leader.
“I cannot speak for others, but the land I got is very small. The late chief said he would allocate land to any police personnel close to the border so they can help minimise cattle theft,” he said.
“;NO SURPRISE”;
