Renthia Kaimbi
The chief of the Dâure Daman Traditional Authority, Zacharias Seibeb, has threatened to evict tourism operator Ultimate Safaris and remove endangered black rhinos from communal land if the company continues opposing mining in the Kunene Region.
In a letter dated 30 September, Seibeb expressed firm support for miners Timoteus Mashuna and Ottilie Ndimulunde.
“Tourism and mining should coexist to benefit my community and the Namibian nation at large,” he said.
He cited high youth unemployment and described it as “unacceptable for me as a leader to oppose projects that will bring gainful employment for my people.”
Seibeb said the miners were granted permits by the Ministry of Environment and Tourism and the Ministry of Mines and Energy and received explicit consent from his traditional authority.
The eviction threat comes as a coalition of conservancies and Ultimate Safaris filed a fresh urgent application in the High Court to halt mining.
The applicants are Doro !Nawas Conservancy, Uibasen Twyfelfontein Conservancy, #Aodaman Traditional Authority, and Ultimate Safaris (Pty) Ltd. The case, lodged on Monday, is scheduled to be heard on 9 October.
Seibeb challenged the legal standing of the opposing conservancies, arguing that the mining claims are not within the jurisdiction of the #Aodaman Traditional Authority, under which the Doro !Nawas and Uibasen Twyfelfontein Conservancies operate.
He accused Ultimate Safaris of operating on the traditional authority’s communal land without a legally required leasehold, calling it a “serious contravention” of the Communal Land Reform Act.
He warned that if the company continued with what he described as the “economic sabotage of mining activities,” he would pursue eviction.
The coalition seeks an interim interdict against Mashuna and Goantagab Mining (Pty) Ltd to stop blasting, heavy machinery use, and the transport of ore from the site until the main case is resolved.
Their legal bid follows an earlier attempt struck from the court roll by High Court judge Boas Usiku for not meeting urgency requirements.
They argue that the situation has worsened, citing blasting works and road construction as proof of urgency.
They also point to a compliance order issued by the environment commissioner on 28 March 2025, which they say was only communicated to them on 24 September.
They argue this shows regulatory concerns about the mining operations.
“I…hereby certify that I have perused the papers in this matter and that I am of the opinion that the issue is a matter of urgency as provided for in rule 73 of this Honourable Court,” states the certificate of urgency signed by legal practitioner John-Paul Ravenscroft Jones.
The conservancies say mining threatens wildlife corridors and risks destroying the environment before the courts can make a final decision.
Mashuna, however, argues he is exercising rights granted under legally approved mining claims.
