Mpora villagers protest against fencing of communal land

NKURENKURU, 11 OCT, (NAMPA) - Members of the Mpora village community held a peaceful demonstration on Thursday in protest against the fencing off of communal land.
The protestors marched approximately seven kilometers to Alex Muranda Road and submitted their petition to Thomas Rengi, the constituency councillor for Ncamagoro.
In the petition, addressed to Minister of Agriculture, Water and Land Reform Calle Schlettwein, the community expressed their concern over individuals attempting to fence off areas traditionally used for grazing, cultivation, and harvesting of wild fruit and natural resources in the villages of Mpora, Tcasava, and Mauguva, located within the Ncamagoro and Mankupi constituencies.
According to the community, the issue of fencing has been going on for nearly eight years. They said in April 2023, a meeting was held with the Mbunza Traditional Authority, where they were assured that no farms would be established on communal land.
“When will this come to an end? People have lived here and their children were born here, they have their crop fields and their livestock graze on that land,” community members said.
They further said that is not the first time they are informing the respective offices of the issue but never get feedback.
Contacted for comment, the Mbunza Traditional Authority said they will look into the necessary documents and provide feedback by Tuesday.
Rengi received the petition on behalf of Kavango West Governor Sirkka Ausiku and said he would deliver the petition to the office of the governor, where it will be handled further.
(NAMPA)
JLN/AS