Several traditional authorities ( TAs ) in the Kunene and Omusati regions , along with the Kunene Communal Land Board , are at odds over land distribution , lease , and sale approvals , exacerbating an already strained relationship between the authorities . This week , the Mumbuu and Tjijeura traditional authorities , as well as the Uukwaluudhi , Tjimuhiva , Otjikaoko TAs , and Vita Tom Royal House , gathered at Opuwo for the Appeal Tribunal appointed by the Minister of Land Reform . The purpose of the gathering was to hear an appeal from the Mumbuu and Tjijuera TAs seeking the nullification and dismissal of all land applications issued by the Vita Tom Royal House , Otjikaoko , Uukwaluudhi , and Tjimuhiva TAs , which had been ratified by the Kunene land board . The appellants ( Mumbuu and Tjijeura ) were dissatisfied with the previous outcome of the proceeding , which was given last year in favour of the respondent , and sought a review from the minister to overturn or amend the judgment . The appellants all
eged that the other traditional authorities engaged in questionable land dealings , including the sale of customary land without the chiefs ‘ approval , as well as the fencing of communal fields without following necessary procedures . Chief Uapundua Edward Mumbuu maintained that there is no part of Uukwaluudhi in the Kunene area , and questioned why they had the authority to grant land in a jurisdiction remote from them . ‘ Some people perceive Kaokoland to be part of Ovamboland . Our chiefs did not approve any land applications , it was between the traditional councillors , headmen and land board … and one unknown person who signed on behalf of the Uukwaluudhi ,’ he said . Mumbuu requested that all existing applications be declared null and void and discarded . ‘ The distribution of land was done without following procedures . Our land is being dished out for personal benefits ,’ he charged . Mumbuu said the land was issued , allotted , or sold in the vicinity of Omakange and Okomakuara , which is in Kaok
oland and not the Uukwaluudhi area of authority . Once again , the land board argued that they could not find any reasonable logic not to ratify the land applications , claiming that land allocations and approvals were made by the chiefs of respective traditional authorities whose consent letters were delivered alongside the application letters . Ottilie Hamukoto , a Kunene Communal Land Board official , indicated during Wednesday ‘ s tribunal that all of the applicants ‘ requirements were met , and the board was satisfied . The Kunene Communal Land Board approved 18 applications . According to Hamukoto , the board determined that the appellants ‘ arguments to the claim lacked merit , and thus ruled it invalid . ‘ Vita royal house , Uukwaluudhi , and Otjikaoko consented to the applications and gave authorities as they are required to ,’ she said . Gustav Tjimuhiva , a senior councillor of the Tjimuhiva Traditional Authority , questioned the validity of the Tjijeura and Mumbuu authorities , claiming that since
they are not gazetted , they lack the locus standi to interfere in their affairs . He went on to say that the report was more than just about the land ; it was a ‘ tribal witchhunt ‘ against the Uukwaluudhi . Ben Kapi , secretary of Vita Tom Royal House , stated that the appellants did not follow all processes since the reporters were unfamiliar with customary land rules . ‘ They are not well vested with customary land laws , they should have consulted before going to the minister ,’ he said .

Source: The Namibia News Agency