Drone Uproar in Helmeringhausen

Farmers in the Helmeringhausen area of the ||Kharas Region are growing increasingly concerned about drones flying over their farms without permission.Malcolm Campbell, chairperson of the Konkiep Farmers Watch (KFW), told Namibian Sun that between 27 July and 1 August 2025, farmers reported seeing up to 12 drones at once in different locations throughout the area. Campbell said the drones are being spotted more frequently at night, with the most recent sighting reported on 4 August.On 19 July 2025 at 05:20, KFW vice-chairperson Timm Miller encountered a drone on his farm road—still within his property boundaries—while driving to Helmeringhausen.“It shot up into the air and nearly crashed into a tree, which suggests the operator was startled and realised it was illegal and had been spotted. He also saw two more drones flying overhead to the south,” said Campbell.Some of the drones are estimated to have a wingspan of up to 1.5 metres—“far too expensive to be local toys,” Campbell noted. The drones remained visible throughout Miller’s entire 42 km journey to Helmeringhausen.The incident spread quickly through the KFW WhatsApp group, prompting a flurry of responses from farmers in the area trying to identify those responsible. Campbell claims there have been cases of wildlife and livestock theft between Helmeringhausen and Keetmanshoop involving drone surveillance.“It is well known that you may only operate such drones within your own property boundaries and never over your neighbour’s land without permission and formal authorisation from the Civil Aviation Authority,” he stressed.Flying in the DarkCampbell said drones were also observed late at night and early the following morning in various locations.“On 22 July at 05:00, a large black drone nearly crashed into a farmer’s bakkie northeast of Helmeringhausen. He and other farmers saw more drones in the early morning hours again.”“If no one knows anything, and no one was informed in advance, why are such drones here—especially at night and before sunrise?” Campbell asked.He said the drones are flying freely without prior notification to any farmer or organisation and are trespassing on private property.“There are clearly illegal activities going on, and we want answers, but none are forthcoming. We’ve only heard rumours that Russian geologists were spotted in the area.”Campbell added that two weeks before the first drone sightings, low-flying light aircraft were observed flying over farms and homesteads. “There is no official information about these planes either, except that they too are allegedly linked to Russian geologists, but again, no one was notified.”Riaan van Rooyen, spokesperson for Headspring Investment—a subsidiary of the Russian-owned Uranium One Group—confirmed to NMH that the company holds no exclusive prospecting licences (EPLs) in the area.However, a reliable source claimed three Russian geologists with drones stayed in Maltahöhe for three weeks.Campbell also noted that geological companies have reportedly applied to the Namibia Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) for drone flight permission. “But no written approval has been issued so far, and the Minister [of Works and Transport] has apparently given only verbal permission for these companies to operate.”Farmers say they are being kept in the dark while drones fly over their private land without consent. The identities of those operating the drones and aircraft remain unknown.“Is geological work being conducted? Is it criminal activity? No one knows. All we hear are rumours, with no official information or authorisations. Is this now how things will be done—just because a minister says it’s fine, anyone can enter and operate over your property without written approval?” farmers are asking.“We as farmers want the right to grant or deny permission before anyone enters our land or airspace. But that privacy seems to be disappearing,” said Campbell.The farmers have asked the Namibian police for assistance. “Their advice to us was to shoot one down and bring it in, so it can be traced like a cellphone. But what if we are held liable for damages of N$200,000?” Campbell said.NCAA ResponseNMH reached out to NCAA spokesperson Nelson Ashipala to ask whether drone permit applications had been submitted for the region. He responded that the database could only be searched if applicants’ names were provided.Ashipala confirmed that all individuals or entities operating drones (Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems – RPAS) within Namibian airspace must obtain operational approval from the NCAA in line with national aviation regulations. This includes specific usage conditions, approved areas of operation, and safety requirements.“Unfortunately, there is currently no dedicated system in place to detect, track, or identify unauthorised drones operating in Namibian airspace. However, the NCAA strongly encourages the public to report any suspected illegal drone activity,” Ashipala said.To assist the NCAA in identifying patterns and taking follow-up action, reports should include as much of the following as possible: Date and time of the incident Exact location Type or appearance of the drone (size, colour, sound, altitude) Possible location or identity of the operatorMeanwhile, the case involving award-winning journalist John Grobler and Nrupesh Soni continues in the Gobabis Magistrate’s Court. They are accused of flying Soni’s drone over Gerrie Odendaal’s farm in the Gobabis district without permission.— francoise@nmh.com.naWatch the video of Timm Miller at: https://q.my.na/DSV1

Drone Uproar in Helmeringhausen

Comments

Namibian Sun 2025-08-08

Please login to leave a comment

Drone Uproar in Helmeringhausen

Comments

Namibian Sun 2025-08-08

Please login to leave a comment

Login