Namibia scrutinises communal grazing disputes after two men killed at Otjase

Two men, Mandume Musengua (48) and Maximilian Katjimune (40), were allegedly killed at Otjase village east of Okakarara in Namibia's Otjozondjupa region in a dispute over communal grazing land, The Namibian reported on 31 October.

Otjozondjupa senior inspector Maureen Mbeha said five suspects had been arrested and were expected to appear before the Okakarara Magistrate's Court during the week. Farmer Ben Kandanga said the two victims were reportedly moving cattle into a camp when a group of people followed them, and that Okakarara residents had petitioned outside the court against bail for the suspects.

Human rights activist Jarii Ua Tjatindi said traditional authorities should not necessarily be stripped of their responsibility to administer communal land, but should be capacitated to handle disputes lawfully and fairly. Some traditional authorities lack the necessary understanding of land administration, customary law and legal procedures, he said.

Freddie Koujou, traditional councillor for the Ovaherero Traditional Authority in the Aminuis constituency, said greed and the fencing off of communal grazing land were among the major causes of disputes. "It is common land for all, but some of the people who are stronger financially tend to want to fence off or benefit more from these communal setups," he said, adding that some who fence communal land also rent it out to people from outside the affected communities.

Koujou called for government outreach programmes to educate communities about land rights and the lawful procedures for resolving disputes, warning residents: "Don't take the law into your own hands." Kandanga said the dispute had reportedly been due to be discussed at the traditional authority's office, but the meeting had not yet taken place.