Stefanus Nashama
A family in the Zambezi region is still waiting for the government to compensate them for the use of their ancestral land.
The Namibia Development Corporation (NDC) and the Namibia Correctional Service (NCS) have been using the land for agricultural purposes for the past 11 years.
The land belonged to the late William Bill Finaughty.
His grandchildren, Patrick Kangulu, Mary Kangulu, and John Finaughty, are now fighting the government for compensation amounting to N$7 million for the use of their ancestral land located near the Wenela Border Post and Katima Farm.
“We have proof of ownership of our late grandfather’s property. Why does the government continue to use the land without settling with us,” said John, the elder grandchild.
In their ongoing struggle, the grandchildren have been asked to provide their late grandfather’s birth certificate, who died in Zimbabwe during the country’s liberation struggle.
The late William fled the country during the apartheid regime in 1974.
The family consulted the Katima Mulilo Town Council, which affirmed the land falls under the jurisdiction of the Katima Mulilo Regional Council.
The originally agreed compensation amount of N$7 million reportedly decreased to N$4 million, leading to further complications.
The Finaughty family is now seeking clarification on where the N$4 million went, as they suspect possible misappropriation of the funds.
“We want to know where the money went because we suspect someone might want to steal the funds,” John said.
The grandchildren also voiced their concerns about the irregularities surrounding the unmade payment.
This is despite approaching numerous ministries and government offices in an attempt to resolve the issue.
The offices of the Zambezi Regional Governor, the Ministry of Industrialization, Trade and SME Development, the Ministry of Agriculture, Water and Land Reform, the Ministry of Finance, and the Secretary to Cabinet, George Simataa, are among those the family has contacted.
John said none of their efforts have yielded positive results.
Documents seen by the Windhoek Observer reveal that the matter was brought before the Cabinet in 2014.
The documents further show that a decision was made to pay the Finaughty family N$7.6 for the government’s use of their farm.
The promised payment was never made.
“We are tired. They are quiet. Why are they still using the land when no payment was made,” John questioned.
In 2023, the secretary to the cabinet, George Simataa, issued a request for a report on the status of the payment.
“Considering the time that has lapsed, I request that you submit a report on the status of this payment by Tuesday, 24 October 2023,” Simataa said in his request.
Letters seen by the Windhoek Observer from the Zambezi Regional Governor, Lawrence Sampofu, indicate that the family has not yet been compensated.
Sampofu wrote two letters addressed to Tjekero Tweya, then minister of trade, industrialization, and SME development, under the same subject matter: “Compensation for the late Mr. Finaghty’s grandchildren” on February 12, 2018 and August 28, 2019.
Sampofu on Thursday washed his hands off the matter.
“I do not know anything about what you are talking about, maybe you should call me after an hour,” he said.
Discussions between the Ministry of Industrialization, the Ministry of Agriculture, and the Namibia Industrial Development Agency (NIDA) remain inconclusive, with no clear timeline for the resolution of the matter.
