10 May 2013

Tawana Land Board has suspended receiving new applications and allocations for livestock boreholes.

The land board chairperson, Mr Kutjavetira Mauano confirmed in an interview that a task force was currently conducting a study in the district with a view to find out what was happening on the ground.  

He said as soon as the study was complete the board would look at the report and map the way forward regarding the application and allocation of livestock boreholes.

 Mr Mauano said the task force had encountered a number of challenges such as unregistered old boreholes and some which are still registered under the names of late applicants.  Other challenges he said, were inaccessible roads which often results in vehicle breakdowns.

Regarding water points that were allocated to Baherero and the Ovanderu people who relocated have to Namibia in the 1990s, Mr Mauano said the properties belonged to  government as the law states that when one abduct citizenship, his/her customary right is forfeited.

Mr Mauano has also revealed that they were not aware about the closure of some passages between ranches in the Hainaveldt farms. He explained that allocation of farms was presided by the layout which includes passages. “We have never approved any closure of passages. It is illegal to close passages and we will send our technical team to go and assess the situation”, he said.

Meanwhile, residents of Maun have been informed that  government has introduced integrated farming with a view of encouraging farmers to  utilize their land. Addressing a kgotla meeting, to brief residents about some changes at the land board, Mr Mauano said they believe that a sizeable number of farmers would utilise their land effectively and invest in agriculture.

He explained that integrated farming refers to agricultural systems that combine livestock and crop production and urged residents to apply for the programme. Mr Mauano further told residents  that government plans to gazette a prime arable zone in view of the fertile soils.

The residents were also informed about the decentralisation of some services to sub land boards in an attempt to improve service delivery.  ENDS