Aroab generational farmworkers evicted

A family that has been living on an Aroab farm for four generations is fighting tooth and nail against eviction by the farm’s South African-based owner, who has accused them of theft.Having worked on Khoichas farm number 295, situated 90 km outside Aroab, for generations, the Friedburg family consider it their home. They have their own sheep, goats, donkeys, horses and chickens.However, these livestock are at the root of a falling-out between the family and the owner of the farm, Frederick van Zyl, who demanded that they start paying rent because of the animals living on the property.According to one of the family members, Frederick Friedburg, Van Zyl came from South Africa [to visit his] four farms in the south. “After two weeks, he came to this farm. He arrived with Daniel and Izel Ross, accusing us of stealing 1 000 sheep,” he said.According to Friedburg, this was beginning of Van Zyl’s attempts to remove his family from the farm.After receiving what they deem an “unlawful notice” they decided not to vacate because they were not given a month notice.Unpaid labourAnother of the family members, Heinrich Friedburg grew up on the farm and now lives there with his own family. He said the owner was unjust towards his father, who started working there and did not get a salary. The case went to court, but was scrapped from the roll due to right procedures not being followed, he said.“We are really disappointed about the ruling of the court but we will not give up. Now these men and their families have to look for a place to stay for their animals. This is an ongoing trend with white farmers here in the south; they do not want to pay the workers and do not follow the labour act rules,” Aroab community activist Jannie Jobs said.The third brother Friedburg brother, who is also raising his family on the farm, said they grew up there and it is their “only safe and happy place to live in”.The family are pleading with government or public legal aid to assist them in any way “because things cannot end like this”.When approached, Van Zyl refused to comment on the matter.

Aroab generational farmworkers evicted

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Namibian Sun 2025-08-05

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Aroab generational farmworkers evicted

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Namibian Sun 2025-08-05

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