Angolans fed up with local farmers
The grazing of Namibian cattle in neighbouring Angola is illegal as the governments of the two countries have not signed an agreement in this regard, Ohangwena governor Usko Nghaamwa has said.
He was addressing more than 200 farmers at Omundaungilo village in his region last week.
Nghaamwa convened the meeting to warn the farmers that the Angolan authorities have expressed dissatisfaction over the continuous movement of Namibians over the border with their animals for grazing.
The farmers have been taking their cattle to Oshimholo and other areas since 2010 after some of them were ejected from the Kavango West Region, where they were also accused of illegal grazing.
Some take their cattle up to 200 kilometres into the neighbouring country.
The meeting was held after a team of officials from the Namibian consulate office at Ondjiva in southern Angola on Wednesday travelled to Nghaamwa's office to inform him that their government is considering the removal of the Namibians and their cattle from their country.
According to Nghaamwa, the grazing was only allowed because of historic political bonds between the two countries dating from the time of Namibia's liberation struggle.
“This peaceful bond between our two countries is vital and you should not break it with bad conduct as you let your cattle graze in Angola,” the governor said, adding that his office also heard allegations that some of the farmers involve themselves in unlawful practices such as fencing off land and illegal hunting.
The meeting also heard that the Namibia-Angola Joint Commission on Safety and Security last week held a meeting in Lubango, where Angolan members of the commission expressed their unhappiness at the illegal grazing.
“If it is true that some of you are involved in criminal activities while you let your cattle graze in Angola at the mercy of their government, I am appealing to you to stop it forthwith,” Nghaamwa said.
The farmers during the meeting said some Angolan nationals have started threatening them, harassing herders or seizing their cattle upon realising that they do not have proper documents allowing their cattle in the neighbouring country.
A meeting between Nghaamwa and representatives of the Angolan authorities to discuss the issue is expected to be held on a yet to be determine date.
NAMPA
He was addressing more than 200 farmers at Omundaungilo village in his region last week.
Nghaamwa convened the meeting to warn the farmers that the Angolan authorities have expressed dissatisfaction over the continuous movement of Namibians over the border with their animals for grazing.
The farmers have been taking their cattle to Oshimholo and other areas since 2010 after some of them were ejected from the Kavango West Region, where they were also accused of illegal grazing.
Some take their cattle up to 200 kilometres into the neighbouring country.
The meeting was held after a team of officials from the Namibian consulate office at Ondjiva in southern Angola on Wednesday travelled to Nghaamwa's office to inform him that their government is considering the removal of the Namibians and their cattle from their country.
According to Nghaamwa, the grazing was only allowed because of historic political bonds between the two countries dating from the time of Namibia's liberation struggle.
“This peaceful bond between our two countries is vital and you should not break it with bad conduct as you let your cattle graze in Angola,” the governor said, adding that his office also heard allegations that some of the farmers involve themselves in unlawful practices such as fencing off land and illegal hunting.
The meeting also heard that the Namibia-Angola Joint Commission on Safety and Security last week held a meeting in Lubango, where Angolan members of the commission expressed their unhappiness at the illegal grazing.
“If it is true that some of you are involved in criminal activities while you let your cattle graze in Angola at the mercy of their government, I am appealing to you to stop it forthwith,” Nghaamwa said.
The farmers during the meeting said some Angolan nationals have started threatening them, harassing herders or seizing their cattle upon realising that they do not have proper documents allowing their cattle in the neighbouring country.
A meeting between Nghaamwa and representatives of the Angolan authorities to discuss the issue is expected to be held on a yet to be determine date.
NAMPA
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