Allexer Namundjembo
Political analyst Ndumba Kamwanyah says removing traditional authorities from land allocation may not solve the problem of illegal fencing in Kavango West.
On Tuesday, during an outreach session led by the Ministry of Information and Communication Technology and the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Land Reform, residents of Casa Village in the region called for traditional leaders to be stripped of their powers to allocate communal land.
Kamwanyah said concerns raised by residents of Casa Village under the Mbunza Traditional Authority are valid, but shifting power alone may not fix the issue.
“The line ministry also has its own weaknesses, including slow processes, poor enforcement, and sometimes corruption. Simply shifting authority may just move the problem from one institution to another,” he said.
He criticised how communal land is being handled.
“Communal land is meant to benefit the whole community, not to be sold, fenced, and turned into private property for a few. The commercialisation of land by traditional leaders is unacceptable, and they should indeed be ashamed of allowing this to happen,” he said.
Kamwanyah called for stronger accountability on all sides.
“At the same time, the government must improve oversight, transparency, and monitoring of communal land. A balanced approach may work better, limiting and closely supervising the powers of traditional authorities while strengthening the role of the ministry and involving the community in decision-making. Without accountability on all sides, the problem will continue,” he said.
Nkurenkuru community activist Amon Sitali said illegal fencing is affecting livelihoods.
“When large areas are fenced off illegally, communities lose access to land they depend on for grazing cattle, leading to reduced livestock productivity and increased poverty,” he said.
Sitali said fencing also limits access to shared resources.
“Another major effect is the increase in land disputes and community conflict. When individuals fence off land, sometimes with unclear or disputed authority, neighbours may clash over boundaries and land rights. This creates tension between residents and can even lead to protests in affected areas,” he said.
Sitali said the problem is widespread, with reports showing more than 21 000 hectares of land in Kavango West affected by illegal fencing.
Last year, the Kavango West Communal Land Board investigated 43 cases of illegal fencing.
Of the 40 cases, 40 were referred to the Mbunza and Uukwangali traditional authorities, while three were sent to the minister for removal.
“Based on the merits of each case, the board investigates reports of illegal fencing received, and the findings will determine whether or not to refer such cases to the traditional authorities for adjudication and resolution,” said deputy director of lands Justine Milinga.
Milinga said enforcement remains a challenge as some offenders refuse to remove fences and appeals delay action.
“The illegal sale of land is the biggest challenge,” she said.
She added that many illegal fences are linked to consent letters issued by traditional authorities. Fencing is allowed for homesteads and crop fields, but not for communal grazing and shared areas.
