Illegal sub-letting of resettlement farms a concern
Oshikoto regional governor Henock Kankoshi is concerned by resettled farmers in his region who are sub-letting their farms to others without following the law and procedures that are in place.
Kankoshi told Namibian Sun that his region is faced with the challenge of resettlement farms being rented out to third parties by the initial recipients, something he says must come to an end.
We have a problem in the region where people who have been resettled on farms by government are sub-letting these farms to other people without following the procedures put in place,” Kankoshi said.
“This is a serious concern and needs to be dealt with.”
Illegal sub-letting of government farms remains a serious challenge in Namibia which sees resettled farmers contravening their contractual agreements by sub-letting their farms to friends and family without follow the right procedures.
According to the Agricultural (Commercial) Land Reform Act of 1995, the renting out of resettlement farms unless the necessary procedures are followed and there is ministerial approval, is prohibited. Kankoshi attributed the practice to perpetrators who undermine the law.
He argues that once a beneficiary is granted the farm by government they are informed about their rights as to what they are allowed and not allowed to do.
“As much as I want to say that people might not be informed about the issue of sub-letting of these farms I know beneficiaries are well informed of their rights as to what they can do and what not to do. People are just ignorant and must change their attitude and do what is right,” Kankoshi remarked.
Kankoshi said that once the land reform ministry officials discover that a resettled farmer has sub-leased his or her farm, a compliance letter is issued and if still not complying, the possibility of eviction exists.
KENYA KAMBOWE
Kankoshi told Namibian Sun that his region is faced with the challenge of resettlement farms being rented out to third parties by the initial recipients, something he says must come to an end.
We have a problem in the region where people who have been resettled on farms by government are sub-letting these farms to other people without following the procedures put in place,” Kankoshi said.
“This is a serious concern and needs to be dealt with.”
Illegal sub-letting of government farms remains a serious challenge in Namibia which sees resettled farmers contravening their contractual agreements by sub-letting their farms to friends and family without follow the right procedures.
According to the Agricultural (Commercial) Land Reform Act of 1995, the renting out of resettlement farms unless the necessary procedures are followed and there is ministerial approval, is prohibited. Kankoshi attributed the practice to perpetrators who undermine the law.
He argues that once a beneficiary is granted the farm by government they are informed about their rights as to what they are allowed and not allowed to do.
“As much as I want to say that people might not be informed about the issue of sub-letting of these farms I know beneficiaries are well informed of their rights as to what they can do and what not to do. People are just ignorant and must change their attitude and do what is right,” Kankoshi remarked.
Kankoshi said that once the land reform ministry officials discover that a resettled farmer has sub-leased his or her farm, a compliance letter is issued and if still not complying, the possibility of eviction exists.
KENYA KAMBOWE
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