Farmworkers left destitute after N$52 million cannabis plantation bust
Former workers lament loss of homes, jobs
At least fifteen former employees and their children now face severe insecurity after the arrest of their employer upended their lives.
The recent arrest of a 43-year-old farm owner, whose land allegedly housed a sprawling illegal cannabis plantation and processing facility, has left farmworkers in the Otjozondjupa region reeling, with many saying their lives have been upended by the police bust.
The farmworkers say the arrest of their employer, 43-year-old David Strauss van der Linden, has left them destitute.
Van der Linden and South African national Armand Carel Schultz (27), who served as the farm manager, were arrested early last month after Otjozondjupa police uncovered a huge cannabis plantation, which they police have valued at an estimated N$52 million, on a commercial farm in the Hochfeld area in the Otjozondjupa region.
One employee, who spoke to Network Media Hub (NMH) on Saturday and asked not to be identified, said that he worked for the pair for 18 years, along with 15 other employees and their children.
He said he earned a monthly salary of N$6 500, in addition to food and shelter.
“The employees’ salaries varied, from as little as N$650 to N$2 500, N$5 500, and up to N$6 500 for those who had been there the longest,” he said.
“I lived comfortably; we were well taken care of. Every Monday to Friday, we received fresh meat and 10 kg of maize meal every single day. I need to emphasise that: every day”.
Struggling to make ends meet
Another employee, who echoed the same sentiments, broke down as she described their struggle to make ends meet.
“We went to the labour office in Okahandja to lay our complaints, but they turned us away and told us to leave the farm, or else we’d be held liable for any damages or losses that occur there,” she said.
“We have children starting school on Monday. What are we supposed to do? This has affected us severely."
The commercial farm was reportedly purchased by Van der Linden 28 years ago, with residents already living on the property at the time. According to the farmworkers, instead of evicting them, Van der Linden chose to employ those who had been working and living there. “These are good people, they really helped us a lot,” one worker shared.
Dagga plantation
Alongside Schultz and Van der Linden, a 61-year-old driver, Johannes Kamati, was also arrested, as well as 43-year-old Jakob Ganai, who was apprehended near the farm with a large consignment of cannabis – estimated to be worth N$100 000 – discovered in his bag.
According to various police reports, the farm housed both dried and fresh cannabis, with five corrugated iron sheds used for drying, packaging and loading. Additionally, a 1.55-hectare section of the land was found to be under irrigation, where cannabis was actively being cultivated.
The four men appeared in June before acting magistrate Kito Paulus on charges of possession and/or dealing in illicit drugs, organised crime and racketeering.
All have indicated that they will engage the services of private lawyers for their bail application.
[email protected]
The farmworkers say the arrest of their employer, 43-year-old David Strauss van der Linden, has left them destitute.
Van der Linden and South African national Armand Carel Schultz (27), who served as the farm manager, were arrested early last month after Otjozondjupa police uncovered a huge cannabis plantation, which they police have valued at an estimated N$52 million, on a commercial farm in the Hochfeld area in the Otjozondjupa region.
One employee, who spoke to Network Media Hub (NMH) on Saturday and asked not to be identified, said that he worked for the pair for 18 years, along with 15 other employees and their children.
He said he earned a monthly salary of N$6 500, in addition to food and shelter.
“The employees’ salaries varied, from as little as N$650 to N$2 500, N$5 500, and up to N$6 500 for those who had been there the longest,” he said.
“I lived comfortably; we were well taken care of. Every Monday to Friday, we received fresh meat and 10 kg of maize meal every single day. I need to emphasise that: every day”.
Struggling to make ends meet
Another employee, who echoed the same sentiments, broke down as she described their struggle to make ends meet.
“We went to the labour office in Okahandja to lay our complaints, but they turned us away and told us to leave the farm, or else we’d be held liable for any damages or losses that occur there,” she said.
“We have children starting school on Monday. What are we supposed to do? This has affected us severely."
The commercial farm was reportedly purchased by Van der Linden 28 years ago, with residents already living on the property at the time. According to the farmworkers, instead of evicting them, Van der Linden chose to employ those who had been working and living there. “These are good people, they really helped us a lot,” one worker shared.
Dagga plantation
Alongside Schultz and Van der Linden, a 61-year-old driver, Johannes Kamati, was also arrested, as well as 43-year-old Jakob Ganai, who was apprehended near the farm with a large consignment of cannabis – estimated to be worth N$100 000 – discovered in his bag.
According to various police reports, the farm housed both dried and fresh cannabis, with five corrugated iron sheds used for drying, packaging and loading. Additionally, a 1.55-hectare section of the land was found to be under irrigation, where cannabis was actively being cultivated.
The four men appeared in June before acting magistrate Kito Paulus on charges of possession and/or dealing in illicit drugs, organised crime and racketeering.
All have indicated that they will engage the services of private lawyers for their bail application.
[email protected]
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