Traditional leaders cautioned against inflating land prices
The chairperson of Oukwanyama traditional authority, Eliaser Waandja, has appealed to all community leaders to stop selling land at unapproved prices.
Waandja said, as per the traditional authority rules, the only payable fee for land registration is N$600, given to the headman as a token of appreciation.
Of late, communal land in villages has become expensive, with some headmen charging fees as much as N$15 000 or more for a piece of land.
Waandja told New Era on Wednesday that such practices are uncalled for, as the Oukwanyama traditional authority did not authorise headmen to charge more than the said amount.
“Every person should just pay the normal fee, which is N$600, to their headman when given land – and nobody is expected to pay more than that. Therefore, no headman is expected to receive more than N$600 with the reason of quickly acquiring land,” Waandja said.
He further warned community members to stop selling communal land, as it causes conflict.
Waandja said his office noticed that community members are currently also grabbing land without consulting their local headmen.
This always results in commotions during the removal of illegal plots.
“People must communicate to their headmen, who must give assistance and maintain peace with their villagers,” Waandja said.
He also urged people who like blocking roads that pass through their fences to refrain from this practice.
“If there is a road that passes through your fence, and it has been operational for long, it does not need to be blocked because it is a freeway for the villagers,” Waandja said.
He concluded that when a member acquires land, documentation is required as evidence of ownership.