Chiefs’ fishing quotas under scrutiny

Traditional authorities will have their books audited over concerns about unexplained withdrawals from accounts holding fishing quota money, urban and rural development minister James Sankwasa has announced.Speaking at the 27th annual meeting of the Council of Traditional Leaders in Otjiwarongo on Monday, the minister warned that “there will be auditors coming from the ministry and the ministry of finance to audit your books”.He said those found to have misused the funds could face prosecution.The audits will examine what happened to money deposited into traditional authorities’ accounts, Sankwasa said, alleging that withdrawals were sometimes made without clear explanation of the services the money was meant to fund."It's not personal money, it’s government money, it’s community money,” the minister said.He also warned that traditional leaders risked losing the respect of their communities if they were found to be violating the laws they were expected to uphold.“If chiefs are not respecting the laws, who do you expect to respect you?” he asked.Sankwasa said money derived from fishing quotas must benefit communities through projects such as household electricity connections, gardening initiatives and assistance for sick people needing hospital care.The fishing quota arrangement involves Oonani Investments Group, the investment arm associated with the Namibia Traditional Authorities Trust (NTAT), which represents recognised traditional authorities.The issue of quota proceeds has previously sparked disputes among traditional leaders. In 2021, Namibian Sun reported disagreements over approximately N$24 million generated from the sale of an 8 000-tonne horse mackerel quota by Hompa Investments, NTAT’s investment company at the time. Some leaders questioned the management and transparency of the proceeds, while a company director disputed their claims.Communal land sales allegedSankwasa also accused some traditional authorities of selling communal land, saying he had received information that plots were being sold for between N$50 000 and N$60 000 per hectare.“Before independence, no chief sold the land. No district headman or headwoman sold any piece of land in South West Africa. Why now?” he asked.He said communal land remained state property and that traditional authorities were custodians rather than owners entitled to sell it.“You know what directives were given. That you only collect administrative fees from those that apply for land. Administrative fees for handling applications,” he said, accusing some authorities of disregarding the law.Sankwasa questioned who determined the prices charged in communal areas, contrasting them with urban land prices, which he said were set by government.phillipus@nmh-hub.com.na

Chiefs’ fishing quotas under scrutiny

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Namibian Sun 2026-10-22

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Chiefs’ fishing quotas under scrutiny

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Namibian Sun 2026-10-22

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