Hertta-Maria Amutenja
The Landless People’s Movement (LPM) has raised concerns about delays and administrative challenges in the allocation of farming units to cooperatives, following the Ministry of Agriculture, Water, and Land Reform’s announcement regarding Farm Kunibes No. 88 last month.
Joyce Muzengua, the head of the human rights desk of the LPM, expressed concerns about the ministry’s handling of the land allocation process, citing systemic maladministration.
“One would definitely look at the time of application as to when these applications were done and how long it took for them to approve these applications. Contemporary applications are done over two to three years before they are approved. And that is where the biggest problem comes in because of the maladministration within the ministry. Administrative processes are complex and prolonged,” said Muzengua.
She also emphasised that problems like the listing of deceased people as cooperative members result from the ministry’s failure to perform thorough checks before approving land applications.
“No due process is done to confirm whatever concerns are there to address because of the complex and maladministration of these processes. Things like these are likely to happen, which speaks to the negligence and work ethics of the ministry. When the ministry allocates land to these people, nothing is checked; no supervisory process takes place,” she stressed.
The LPM is advocating for a more active role in managing land allocations and ensuring adherence to proper procedures.
“We want a much more hands-on approach so that proper processes are followed, hurried within the administrative process, and these must be constantly revisited because you’re dealing with people here,” added Muzengua.
Last month, the ministry sought objections from the Nderura, Tjikune, Kongombe, Mushimba, Uaatjo, Solomon, Uirab, Hoeseb, Tjihavero, and Eixab families for Farm Kunibes No. 88.
Among these are the deceased members, including Kephas Nderura, Evangeline Tjikune, Maria Solomon, and Arnold Tjihavero.
The ministry’s allocation includes both living individuals and deceased persons. The family members allocated to Farm Kunibes No. 88 include the Nderura family, which consists of Helena Nderura, Stanley Tikune, Daniel Kongombe, Milka Mushimba, Michael Mushimba, Claudius Muruko, Bensie Immanuel Nderura, Selma Nderura, Hophney Kanandjembo, Rachel Kanandjembo, Lena Solomon, Sylvia Uaatjo, Adleheid Uaatjo, Brian Nderura, Belinda Nderura, and Justus Veei.
Among these are the deceased members, including Kephas Nderura, Evangeline Tjikune, Maria Solomon, Arnold Tjihavero, Janet Uirab, and Emil Uirab.
The spokesperson for the MAWLR provided clarification on the ministry’s procedures.
“According to Co-operatives Act No. 23 of 1996, family members are allowed to form cooperatives, provided they meet the required age and residency criteria,” Musheko stated.
He emphasized that cooperative by-laws govern the process of replacing deceased members.
“When a member of a cooperative passes away, the by-laws of the cooperative will guide the process for replacing them. An application for inheritance can be lodged with the respective Regional Division Lands Office, as per the Agricultural (Commercial) Land Reform Act,” he said.
Musheko also outlined the application process for farming units, stating that the application process involves submitting forms within 30 days of the advertisement, including all necessary documents such as identity verification and qualifications. Regional Resettlement Committees evaluate applications, and the Land Reform Advisory Commission reviews them to ensure fairness and transparency.
