Uukwambi sand mining fight reignited
Sand mining sparks fresh outcry
A concerned group of community members is once again at loggerheads with the Uukwambi Traditional Authority, demanding urgent answers around sand mining activities.
In 2018, the Uukwambi Traditional Authority clashed with a local residents’ pressure group over alleged illegal sand mining for commercial purposes, which residents said left a trail of environmental destruction – a dispute that has now resurfaced.
The renewed battle stems from the traditional authority’s decision to grant Shash Trading and Earth Works CC permission to extract 60 tonnes of sand from the Iiheke ya Nakele area in Ekamba village.
Details of the sand mining activities are contained in a letter dated 3 March authored by Uukwambi Traditional Authority secretary, Tshikarepo Andjamba, which is addressed to Ekamba's headman.
“We have sent Shaanika Abraham from Sash Trading and Earth Works CC, who has trucks with a carrying capacity of 10 tonnes. We gave permission for 60 loads of sand to be loaded from the pit. You are being asked with all due respect to station someone on the site who will count how many loads will be taken from there,” the letter reads.
Questions raised
In response, the Iiheke ya Nakele committee, led by Lukas Nantanga, wrote to Andjamba on 17 March, expressing their disappointment with the traditional authority for approving sand mining, which they deemed ‘illegal’.
“We all know that sand excavation activities at Iiheke ya Nakele had been suspended until all parties involved come together to negotiate over the case and reach an agreement as per the final order of the community court at the Uukwambi Traditional Authority offices at Uukwangula held on 22 February 2019," the letter reads.
“In our humble opinion, Uukwambi Traditional Authority cannot permit 60 loads of sand to be excavated at Iiheke ya Nakele as if the contested case in question were settled.
“We were caught up by disbelief, fear, disturbance and surprise when we saw trucks again excavating sand at the behest of the Uukwambi Traditional Authority, and this unexpected act has raised many questions.”
Legality questioned
The committee added: “How would this be possible when there is no new environmental clearance certificate issued to this effect?”
“How would this be possible when there is no agreement reached between the interested and affected community members and the Uukwambi Traditional Authority?
“We are sure that there cannot be a new environmental clearance certificate issued without the community’s rightful participation as interested and affected persons.”
The committee has called for a joint meeting with the Uukwambi Traditional Authority, the Ministry of Environment, the Office of the Ombudsman, the Oshana governor, and representatives from the Oshana Regional Council to discuss the matter.
When contacted for comment, Uukwambi Traditional Authority spokesperson Timotheus Kalimba said he was unable to provide comment at the time.
Namibian Sun sought to determine whether the community had been consulted before the decision was made, how much Shash Trading and Earth Works CC was charged for the sand, and how the proceeds would benefit the community.
At loggerheads
In 2018, the Iiheke ya Nakele sand mining issue was raised after Namibian Sun was informed that the Uukwambi Traditional Authority had given the miners permission to extract sand from a borrow pit.
At the time, Uukwambi chief Herman Ndilimani Iipumbu denied allegations made by the Iiheke ya Nakele committee, which had demanded transparency, including details on where the sand miners had obtained authorisation for their activities.
The traditional authority argued that sand mining had occurred 40 years earlier and that there was no need for fresh discussions on the matter.
However, this stance contradicted the Environmental Management Act of 2007, which requires all government institutions, companies, organisations and individuals involved in the planning or execution of listed activities – including sand mining – to adhere to the principles outlined in the Act.
According to the law, anyone intending to mine sand must possess an environmental clearance certificate, which is issued only after successfully completing an environmental impact assessment (EIA).
For an EIA to be approved, the majority of the affected community must not object to the proposal.
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The renewed battle stems from the traditional authority’s decision to grant Shash Trading and Earth Works CC permission to extract 60 tonnes of sand from the Iiheke ya Nakele area in Ekamba village.
Details of the sand mining activities are contained in a letter dated 3 March authored by Uukwambi Traditional Authority secretary, Tshikarepo Andjamba, which is addressed to Ekamba's headman.
“We have sent Shaanika Abraham from Sash Trading and Earth Works CC, who has trucks with a carrying capacity of 10 tonnes. We gave permission for 60 loads of sand to be loaded from the pit. You are being asked with all due respect to station someone on the site who will count how many loads will be taken from there,” the letter reads.
Questions raised
In response, the Iiheke ya Nakele committee, led by Lukas Nantanga, wrote to Andjamba on 17 March, expressing their disappointment with the traditional authority for approving sand mining, which they deemed ‘illegal’.
“We all know that sand excavation activities at Iiheke ya Nakele had been suspended until all parties involved come together to negotiate over the case and reach an agreement as per the final order of the community court at the Uukwambi Traditional Authority offices at Uukwangula held on 22 February 2019," the letter reads.
“In our humble opinion, Uukwambi Traditional Authority cannot permit 60 loads of sand to be excavated at Iiheke ya Nakele as if the contested case in question were settled.
“We were caught up by disbelief, fear, disturbance and surprise when we saw trucks again excavating sand at the behest of the Uukwambi Traditional Authority, and this unexpected act has raised many questions.”
Legality questioned
The committee added: “How would this be possible when there is no new environmental clearance certificate issued to this effect?”
“How would this be possible when there is no agreement reached between the interested and affected community members and the Uukwambi Traditional Authority?
“We are sure that there cannot be a new environmental clearance certificate issued without the community’s rightful participation as interested and affected persons.”
The committee has called for a joint meeting with the Uukwambi Traditional Authority, the Ministry of Environment, the Office of the Ombudsman, the Oshana governor, and representatives from the Oshana Regional Council to discuss the matter.
When contacted for comment, Uukwambi Traditional Authority spokesperson Timotheus Kalimba said he was unable to provide comment at the time.
Namibian Sun sought to determine whether the community had been consulted before the decision was made, how much Shash Trading and Earth Works CC was charged for the sand, and how the proceeds would benefit the community.
At loggerheads
In 2018, the Iiheke ya Nakele sand mining issue was raised after Namibian Sun was informed that the Uukwambi Traditional Authority had given the miners permission to extract sand from a borrow pit.
At the time, Uukwambi chief Herman Ndilimani Iipumbu denied allegations made by the Iiheke ya Nakele committee, which had demanded transparency, including details on where the sand miners had obtained authorisation for their activities.
The traditional authority argued that sand mining had occurred 40 years earlier and that there was no need for fresh discussions on the matter.
However, this stance contradicted the Environmental Management Act of 2007, which requires all government institutions, companies, organisations and individuals involved in the planning or execution of listed activities – including sand mining – to adhere to the principles outlined in the Act.
According to the law, anyone intending to mine sand must possess an environmental clearance certificate, which is issued only after successfully completing an environmental impact assessment (EIA).
For an EIA to be approved, the majority of the affected community must not object to the proposal.
[email protected]
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