Allexer Namundjembo and Ester Mbathera
Political analysts and party leaders are calling for the removal or reform of the controversial veterinary cordon fence, also known as the Red Line, arguing that it hinders economic opportunities, perpetuates poverty, and restricts market access for farmers in the northern regions.
The leader of the Affirmative Repositioning party, Job Amupanda is currently in the courts fighting for the removal of the line.
Political analyst Joseph Diescho criticised the continued existence of the Red Line 35 years after independence.
“It should have been sorted a long time ago,” he said.
Diescho questioned the morality of dividing the nation over meat, arguing that appropriate regulations could address health concerns.
“It cannot be right that because the animals in the north, by the mere fact that they are reared by Oshiwambo, RuKavango and Caprivian language speakers, these animals are inherently unhealthy and would make Europeans sick if they ate their meat. If that is so, then why do the tourists and VIPs who eat this meat when they are north of the line not get sick? Or what exactly is the matter that cannot be sorted with proper animal health regulations?” Diescho said.
He urged the government to address the issue in the interest of Namibia and Namibians rather than try to satisfy Europe or America.
Political leaders who are rallying behind this fight are proposing alternative disease control measures to ensure public health and protect the country’s livestock industry.
The NDP leader Martin Lukato on Wednesday told the Windhoek Observer that there should be another means of combating diseases, apart from maintaining the redline.
“We (NDP) are of the view that there are many measures that the government can implement to prevent the spread. If the government, through the agriculture ministry, can take the initiative of implementing strict regulations such as monthly vaccination, all farmers will be protected,” Lukato said.
He added that removing the Red Line would improve food security and boost the economy by opening markets to all farmers.
Popular Democratic Movement (PDM) lawmaker Hidipo Hamata echoed this sentiment, emphasising that the Red Line traps farmers in northern parts of the country in poverty.
He argued that limiting access to broader markets for livestock prevents these farmers from unlocking their full economic potential.
“The Red Line must be removed to unlock the full potential of Namibia’s livestock and create equal opportunities for all,” he said.
Last year, PDM’s leader, McHenry Venaani, said that the government is taking too long to establish a buffer zone between Namibia and Angola.
He argued that concerns about communities cutting the fence are invalid, as the government could deploy soldiers to guard it.
Venaani emphasised that a buffer zone would help regulate cattle movement and increase prices for farmers in northern Namibia, aligning them with those south of the Red Line.
He also pointed out that with approximately 1.3 million cattle in the northern regions, improving economic viability could benefit farmers and the country’s economy.
Venaani said such a measure would increase livestock prices for northern farmers and enable access to export markets.
“At the moment, we are leading our people into poverty just because we fear they might cut the fence,” Venaani said, adding that a certified buffer zone could be approved by European Union inspectors.
Swapo member Asser Ntinda, who previously criticised the policy, reiterated his view that the Red Line should have been scrapped long ago.
“We surely shouldn’t have been making these knee-jerk reactions about the notorious Redline almost 35 years after independence. The Red Line should have been scrapped many moons ago,” he said.
The Cabinet has approved a gradual plan to lift the restrictions imposed by the veterinary cordon fence, as announced in its 16th decision-making meeting of 2024 last year.
This decision aims to foster economic growth and improve livestock health in the affected areas.
A feasibility study will be conducted over the next two years to assess the potential effects of removing the fence.
The study will guide efforts to establish disease-free zones in regions such as Mangetti, Karikubis, Tsumkwe, Mangetti East Farms, Mangetti West, Onalusheshete Farms, Ombuga, Omutambo Maowe, and Sesfontein, according to the Cabinet briefing.
Despite the calls for reform, human rights advocate Phil yaNangoloh defended the Red Line as a constitutionally sound and necessary policy.
He stated that restrictions on raw meat movement protect public health and economic welfare.
“The restriction is justified as necessary for public health, economic welfare, and the protection of others’ rights,” he said.
The case continues in court on 31 January.
