Sostenus Wilherm
The government has intensified its campaign to remove illegal fences erected on communal land, with authorities warning that unauthorised fencing continues to threaten equal access to grazing areas and communal resources.
The ministry of agriculture, fisheries, water and land reform said it has expanded nationwide operations to dismantle illegal and unauthorised fences in collaboration with regional councils, communal land boards and traditional authorities.
The programme, which is being implemented under the Communal Land Reform Act, 2002, aims to protect communal land rights and ensure that common grazing areas remain accessible to all lawful users.
Ministry spokesperson Romeo Muyanda said the operation forms part of the government’s broader commitment to ensure responsible management of communal land resources.
“Illegal fencing of communal land undermines the principles of equitable land access by restricting the lawful use of commonage, limiting grazing opportunities for livestock owners and creating unnecessary disputes within communities,” Muyanda said.
The exercise started in the Omaheke region before moving to Kavango East and Kavango West and is currently underway in the Oshikoto region. Similar operations are expected to continue in other communal areas across the country.
Since the programme began in 2025, authorities have removed several illegal fences. In Kavango East, five illegal fences covering approximately 4,000.72 hectares have been removed, while two additional fences were voluntarily removed by their owners following engagements with authorities.
In Kavango West, three illegal fences covering 2,914.35 hectares have been dismantled, while two illegal fences were also removed in the Omaheke region.
The current operation in Oshikoto is expected to result in the removal of two additional illegal fences.
Muyanda said the ministry’s approach is not aimed at targeting lawful land users but rather addressing structures that were erected without the required approvals.
“The ministry wishes to emphasise that these operations are conducted in accordance with due legal processes,” he said.
He explained that before any fence is removed, authorities first verify whether the structure is legal, issue written notices to affected individuals and provide an opportunity for voluntary compliance within the prescribed period.
Only after these procedures are exhausted and there is continued non-compliance will enforcement action be taken, according to the ministry.
The ministry has also acknowledged the role played by members of the Namibia Youth Service (NYS), who have been involved in the physical removal of illegal fences during the operations.
Muyanda commended the NYS members for their professionalism, discipline and commitment, saying their contribution has been critical to the successful implementation of the programme.
The ministry further encouraged communal land users to obtain the necessary approvals from traditional authorities and communal land boards before erecting any fences.
While certain structures, including those around homesteads, cattle pens, water points and crop fields, may be permitted under the law, the ministry warned that all fencing activities must comply with legal requirements.
Muyanda urged communities to cooperate with officials conducting the operations and to resolve land-related concerns through established legal and administrative channels.
The ministry said continued cooperation from regional councils, traditional authorities, communal land boards, law enforcement agencies and communities remains essential to ensuring sustainable and fair management of Namibia’s communal land resources.
