07 Nov 2022

The Dutch reformed church council has reportedly committed to grant government subtitle deeds at D’kar farm for developmental purposes.

This was revealed by Ghanzi North MP, Mr Johane Thiite during a kgotla meeting in D’kar recently.

Mr Thiite said following consultations, the church had assured him that it was ready to grant government subtitle deeds at D’kar farm for developmental purposes. 

He also said the church council was willing to engage government on issues relating to D’kar expropriation.

He expressed gratitude that the process was underway to  obtain subtitle deeds for the long awaited D’kar co-operative store to be constructed through Constituency Community Funding and the clinic.

The MP assured residents that the funds for the co-operative had long been reserved.

He said he was confident that issues that led to the impasse between government and the church council had been resolved, adding that he had successfully negotiated with government to compensate the church for giving way for Ghanzi-Kuke road. 

He said compensation funds were recently deposited into the church account.

Mr Thiite pledged to be a mediator regarding the dispute between the church council and Kuru development trust which was before court of law, if the case was withdrawn from court.

He was of the view that the issue could be resolved amicably fearing that a court decision may fuel rivalry.

Meanwhile, wildlife officer, Mr Johnson Lebotse regretted that the D’kar community game farm (which is Dqae Qare game farm) remained non-operational owing to the pending court case.

This, Mr Lebotse said, had led to overstocking of wild animals and subsequent overgrazing, as the community could not be granted hunting permits due to the pending court case.

For their part, residents raised concern that the church council and Kuru development trust lacked accountability. They said membership of the two bodies had overstayed their tenure and they never convened any meeting to engage the community.

They doubted that compensation alluded to would benefit the general community. ENDS