Mulisa Simiyasa
OTJIWARONGO – Vice President Lucia Witbooi on Monday called on traditional authorities across the country to stop the sale of communal land in their respective jurisdictions.
Witbooi made the call during the official opening of the 27th Annual Meeting of the Council of Traditional Leaders in Otjiwarongo.
She said the sale of communal land deprives community members of fair access to land, natural resources, water wells and community boreholes.
“Another issue is the illegal fencing of communal land, which totally blocks access by community members to commonage land, water and natural resources. This needs to be stopped by you, chiefs and your traditional authorities,” she said.
Witbooi also urged traditional leaders to refrain from criticising the government on social media in their capacity as traditional leaders, warning that such conduct could be perceived as instigating their communities to turn against the government.
She said traditional leaders, as custodians of communal land, culture and traditional practices at grassroots level, serves as eyes and ears of government.
“If there is an issue of concern, traditional leaders and government should sit down and discuss such matters,” she said.
Witbooi further urged traditional leaders to resolve succession disputes through recognised customary norms rather than resorting to court battles.
“Let us refrain from any politically misguided elements to penetrate our traditional authorities. Let us reject tribalism and work together as a united three-legged pot,” she said.
Minister of Urban and Rural Development, James Sankwasa said Namibia has 53 recognised traditional authorities, of which 17 are involved in disputes over chieftaincy matters.
“I still receive calls from people who want to be recognised as chiefs when they do not have any ancestral foundations. Therefore, no new application for chieftaincy recognition will be considered during my reign as minister,” he said.
Sankwasa urged chiefs and traditional leaders to promote peace and unity among their communities, noting that everyone, including ministers and presidents, belongs to these traditional authorities.
The meeting of traditional leaders discussing matters affecting traditional authorities across the country ends on Friday.
– Nampa
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