Allexer Namundjembo
Following reports from traditional leaders in Ekungira, Epupa Constituency, that ongoing mining activities are illegal, community members have reached an agreement with mining companies to contribute to local development.
This was revealed in a report by the Ombudsman, conducted after some traditional authorities complained that mining was taking place without their consent.
The agreement includes conditions that the mining companies drill a borehole for the community, assist with a community garden, contribute to a community fund, and establish a school garden project.
Media Ombudsman Basilius Dyakugha, in a report presented yesterday, stated that a complaint was lodged with his office in March last year.
The complaint concerned the extraction of minerals on land belonging to indigenous and marginalised communities without their free, prior, and informed consent.
“The complainants were from the Ekungira area in the Kunene Region. An investigation was conducted to assess the extent of unlawful mineral extraction, with a particular focus on the Ekungira area,” he said.
Dyakugha noted that his office visited the area and found that consent had indeed been given to the mining companies.
The report indicated that Chief Uapeurao Karooro had granted consent to the miners.
“The complaints regarding alleged unlawful extraction of minerals were largely due to poor communication, failure to follow regional decentralisation structures such as Village Development Committees, and insufficient consultation between miners, local communities, and traditional leaders,” Dyakugha said.
The report revealed that there are currently ten active mining licences and 327 active mining claims in the region.
It also highlighted the high demand for mining in the Kunene Region, with 1,042 new mining claims recorded.
Additionally, the report confirmed 113 active exclusive prospecting licences and 283 new applicants.
Dyakugha recommended that the Kunene Regional Office ensure each constituency office establishes Village Development Committees in collaboration with their respective traditional authorities.
