Govt threats leave family by the roadside

A family of 18 has been living along the road since Christmas after government allegedly ordered their ouster from a resettlement farm because the owner is not allowed sublet the property.The Gainub family, which consists of six adults and 12 children, has been living along the road about 30 kilometres from Dordabis in the direction of Leonardville since December.They live in a small corrugated iron house that is half hidden behind a tree, with a kraal for their lambs next to the house.Before this, they lived and farmed on the resettlement farm Anstatt for over seven years.According to community activist Reverend Lazarus Awaseb, the family had an agreement with the farm’s owner, allowing them to live there. This is also contained in a police statement on the matter.It is understood the owner was reminded by government resettlement officials that he was not allowed to sublet the farm, and must therefore end the arrangement he had with the Gainub family - or risk forfeiting the farm to the state.Consequently, the Gainubs were issued with a lawyer&#039;s letter which stipulated that they must leave Anstatt within 21 days. This came as a shock, according to the head of the household, Ruben Gainub.Fearing that the sheriff may confiscate their meagre possessions, including their livestock, they had no choice but to leave, he said.Surviving on rainwaterSince then, it has been a headache to ensure that they have enough water for their goats, few horses and donkeys every day.Lucia Gainus said they have survived until now by collecting rainwater from pools on the ground and with the help of friendly neighbours who sometimes share their water sources, but she added that the situation worsens every day."If that water runs out, we don&#039;t have drinking water either," she said."We are looking for help to get enough water. The animals don&#039;t have water," Ruben added.On their future housing prospects, he said government will have to help them.However, according to Khomas Regional Council member Piet Adams, the Gainub family has not yet applied for relocation. He explained that Anstatt&#039;s owner did not have permission to subdivide his land. The land reform ministry consequently put pressure on him [the owner] last year and threatened to take over the farm if he did not remove the inhabitants from the land.The ministry has postponed a meeting with stakeholders, including the Namibian Police, the regional council and the ministry, until further notice, Adams said.Complicated matterKhomas governor Laura McLeod-Katjirua assured Namibia Media Holdings that she is aware of the family&#039;s circumstances, adding that the issue was discussed at a resettlement meeting last week."We have assigned staff to visit the affected farmers, and at the same time look for the best modalities to assist them. My office must study the group [and determine] whether or not they will be evicted from resettlement. My office is still consulting with the line ministry and once the solution is found or not, it will be communicated to them accordingly,” she said.“Relocation is a complicated matter and we have to do it orderly and with care.”ProgressMinistry spokesperson Jona Musheko said the issue of resettlement starts in each region with the regional council.The council submits a short list to the land commission and the commission makes proposals to the minister for approval."The unsuccessful applications are kept in each region, but we are working to capture them in a system," he said, citing this as the reason why the ministry cannot say how many applications for relocation have already been received.The ministry recently announced the successful allocation of part of the farm Vaalwater in the Kunene Region and part of the farm Gurus in the Hardap Region. Uapindikiaije Kazahe and Ben Kamaijanda Kapere were named the new owners, respectively, on 31 January.Musheko said the requirements for resettlement were revised last year and, therefore, the process could be handled faster than in previous years.The ministry is also progressing with its efforts to resettle homeless people from specific parts of the country, Musheko said.– augetto@republikein.com.na

Govt threats leave family by the roadside

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Namibian Sun 2025-07-01

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Govt threats leave family by the roadside

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Namibian Sun 2025-07-01

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