08 Dec 2020

Minister of Land Management, Water and Sanitation Services, Mr Kefentse Mzwinila says the boundary fence between Ghanzi District and Namibia is generally in a fair condition, but sporadically suffers disrepair, especially around the Grootlaagte area.

Answering a question in Parliament on Monday, Mr Mzwinila said plans were underway to maintain the 230km fence as the country’s international boundary with Namibia had been reaffirmed in 2017 by a joint technical team of experts from both countries and a boundary treaty finalised and signed by the Heads of States in February 2018.

According to the Minister, Article 5 of the Boundary Treaty stipulated the maintenance of boundary beacons and other boundary structures on equal cost sharing basis, which needed diplomatic exchange instruments of ratification that had not yet been completed.

He said the ratification process was expected to be concluded before the end of this financial year, adding that the ministry was engaging its Namibian counterparts with regards to the maintenance of the boundary fence in line with provisions of the Treaty. 

Ghanzi North MP, Mr Motsamai Motsamai asked the minister if there were plans to maintain/rehabilitate the boundary fence between Ghanzi District and Namibia to reduce cross-border crime, in particular stock theft. ENDS