#JustIn: Mbambi resident and ReconAfrica currently engaged in settlement negotiations

In a matter in which a resident of the Mbambi informal settlement in the Kavango East Region is challenging oil giant Reconnaissance Energy Namibia (ReconAfrica) in court, the case was postponed this week until 23 May.

According to a court order, the parties informed the court that Andreas Sinonge and ReconAfrica are in the process of settlement and are considering counter offers that were made.

Sinonge has also obtained new legal representation and the legal representative is in the process of familiarising himself with the case.

BACKGROUND

In October 2020, the Shambyu Traditional Authority handed over a letter of consent to ReconAfrica, which empowered the company to occupy a part of the communal land in Mbambi as a drilling site from March 2021.

Sinonge claims that in terms of the Communal Land Reform Act, he has exclusive customary rights to the land and that the oil company destroyed the natural forest and fields on the communal land without any consultation.

Sinonge is demanding an order to remove ReconAfrica from their communal land and rehabilitate the area so he can return to his land.