The Otjiwarongo Municipality on Thursday confirmed the issuance of eviction notices to livestock and crop farmers allegedly conducting illegal farming activities around the town.
Otjiwarongo Mayor, Gottlieb Shivute, in an interview with Nampa on Thursday said a total 27 farmers, who were illegally situated on municipal land, were this week issued notices.
The farmers are mostly occupying the area situated southeast of town earmarked for a reception dwelling, and also on camp five marked for residential purposes.
‘We only urge them to cooperate and vacate as we would like to start implementing the council resolutions passed in relation with this land,’ said Shivute.
The mayor further stated that his office has 4 000 applications for dwelling plots, and this area around camp five is the one identified by the municipality.
He added that residents who want to farm on the local authority land may apply at camp three, which is specifically for agricultural purposes, and situated east of town.
Some farmers
also told Nampa that during this week they received eviction notices where they were threatened to vacate or expect to pay penalties of N.dollars 100 per square meters of land they occupy.
‘I have been on this piece of land for seven years, farming with 50 chickens, 20 goats and five cattle, so I have nowhere to go,’ said the 57-year-old Jemutika Ndovazu, who has vowed to defy the eviction notice and stay put on the land.
Mekondjo Isak on his part urged the municipality to allow him do his farming this year, until such a time the municipality would really want to use the land in the future.
Hilma Ekandjo, 62, blamed the municipality for always wanting her out only once she has cleared off the portion of land.
She called on the Government to intervene in the matter since she derives her livelihood and income from cultivating maize on the municipal land.
Source: The Namibian Press Agency