Etosha debacle sparks national probe
The environment ministry has launched a full-scale investigation at the Deeds Office in Windhoek to determine whether there is any privately owned land in Namibia's national parks.
It is also investigating how a businessman from Windhoek came to own a piece of land situated in the Etosha National Park.
This follows after businessman Gerd Schoneke offered to sell a piece of land he owns in Etosha to the ministry for N$12 million.
Schoneke yesterday told Namibian Sun that he did not want to comment now, but would at a later stage provide all the facts to the media.
The piece of land measures 0.409 hectares and is located between the Okaukuejo Rest Camp and the Andersson Gate in Etosha.
According to the minister Schoneke apparently inherited the land from his grandfather who had bought it in 1905, two years before Etosha was declared a national park.
“We are investigating this. None of the documents that he has provided to the ministry has been validated yet. We are trying to see how he acquired the land, whether it was by a fair and just means. Legality must be determined,” Shifeta said.
The minister stressed that no private land ownership is allowed in national parks, especially not in Etosha.
He added that the land, which measures less than half a hectare, is not developed at all and that the selling price is inflated.
According to Shifeta negotiations with the ministry to sell the piece of land have been ongoing for 14 years, but he only heard about the issue last year.
He said a valuation by the lands ministry showed that the land is worth N$400 000.
Shifeta noted that the ministry would also take into account what a private buyer would pay for the land before deciding on a final price.
He explained that selling the land to a private buyer would be impossible. “You cannot erect infrastructure in the middle of the park. There is no private entrance,” he pointed out.
He said the ministry would offer fair compensation for the land should it be proven that it had been obtained legally.
“We are, however, still investigating how it was obtained. We respect the rights of the owner, but we have to make sure everything was done legally before we decide.”
According to Shifeta he has sent ministry officials to the Deeds Office to investigate whether there is any other privately owned land in other national parks.
Shifeta said that should the ministry come across other similar cases he had options which he could not reveal at this time.
“Private ownership is a problem. Land cannot be owned by private owners in national parks, especially Etosha.”
He said a concession could be granted in national parks, which meant that the land is leased to a private owner.
“The land belongs to the park, there is no private land and it can be a security concern,” he reiterated.
ELLANIE SMIT
It is also investigating how a businessman from Windhoek came to own a piece of land situated in the Etosha National Park.
This follows after businessman Gerd Schoneke offered to sell a piece of land he owns in Etosha to the ministry for N$12 million.
Schoneke yesterday told Namibian Sun that he did not want to comment now, but would at a later stage provide all the facts to the media.
The piece of land measures 0.409 hectares and is located between the Okaukuejo Rest Camp and the Andersson Gate in Etosha.
According to the minister Schoneke apparently inherited the land from his grandfather who had bought it in 1905, two years before Etosha was declared a national park.
“We are investigating this. None of the documents that he has provided to the ministry has been validated yet. We are trying to see how he acquired the land, whether it was by a fair and just means. Legality must be determined,” Shifeta said.
The minister stressed that no private land ownership is allowed in national parks, especially not in Etosha.
He added that the land, which measures less than half a hectare, is not developed at all and that the selling price is inflated.
According to Shifeta negotiations with the ministry to sell the piece of land have been ongoing for 14 years, but he only heard about the issue last year.
He said a valuation by the lands ministry showed that the land is worth N$400 000.
Shifeta noted that the ministry would also take into account what a private buyer would pay for the land before deciding on a final price.
He explained that selling the land to a private buyer would be impossible. “You cannot erect infrastructure in the middle of the park. There is no private entrance,” he pointed out.
He said the ministry would offer fair compensation for the land should it be proven that it had been obtained legally.
“We are, however, still investigating how it was obtained. We respect the rights of the owner, but we have to make sure everything was done legally before we decide.”
According to Shifeta he has sent ministry officials to the Deeds Office to investigate whether there is any other privately owned land in other national parks.
Shifeta said that should the ministry come across other similar cases he had options which he could not reveal at this time.
“Private ownership is a problem. Land cannot be owned by private owners in national parks, especially Etosha.”
He said a concession could be granted in national parks, which meant that the land is leased to a private owner.
“The land belongs to the park, there is no private land and it can be a security concern,” he reiterated.
ELLANIE SMIT
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